“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
Waiting can be a humbling experience. It tests our patience, challenges our desires for control, and reveals the condition of our hearts. The story of King David’s journey to the throne serves as a powerful example of how humility is cultivated in the waiting and how it paves the way for God’s blessings.
Even though David had been anointed as the future king of Israel, he found himself in a period of waiting that lasted for years. During this time, he encountered multiple opportunities to assert himself, seize power, or take matters into his own hands. However, David chose humility. Instead of forcefully claiming the throne, he submitted himself to God’s timing and the authority of King Saul, even when Saul pursued him with jealousy and hatred.
In the waiting, David learned the vital lesson that humility precedes exaltation. He understood that God’s favor and blessings are bestowed upon the humble and those who surrender their desires to Him. David’s humility was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of his trust in God’s sovereignty and plan.
As we wait on God’s promises, we must also embrace humility. Waiting challenges our pride, our need for instant gratification, and our desire to be in control. It is in the waiting that God often molds us, purifies our hearts, and refines our character.
Humility acknowledges that our timing and understanding are limited compared to God’s. It allows us to surrender our plans and trust in His perfect plan and timing. Humility positions us to receive God’s blessings with gratitude and recognition that they come from His hand alone.
In the waiting, let us humbly seek God’s guidance and wisdom. Let us lay aside any sense of entitlement or self-reliance, acknowledging that our abilities and achievements are gifts from Him. May we cultivate a spirit of humility that enables us to trust in His sovereignty and patiently await His perfect timing.
As we humble ourselves before the Lord, He promises to lift us up. He sees our waiting, our perseverance, and our humility. He knows the desires of our hearts, and He is faithful to fulfill His promises. In due time, He will exalt us according to His perfect plan, all for His glory.