This week’s devotions are based on Week 6 of David: Finding Peace in Jesus (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
What a breathtaking descent! Though Jesus was God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He emptied Himself. He took the form of a servant. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Christ did not grasp at glory. He did not demand recognition. He did not force the crown. He entrusted Himself to the Father’s will and timing. His path was downward before it was upward. The cross came before the crown.
Lent trains our hearts in this same pattern. But it’s hard. We live in a world that urges us to build our name, defend our image, and secure our platform. Yet the way of Jesus is humbleness. He gave up his glory in heaven to travel the way of the cross. He gave up his position in heaven for a time to come to earth to secure our position in heaven forever.
David understood humility. Though anointed king in 1 Samuel 16:13, he did not seize Saul’s throne when the opportunity came. In 1 Samuel 24:6 he said, “I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.” David waited on the Lord in caves before he ruled in Jerusalem. He was faithful when no one was looking. He trusted that God would unveil the throne in His time.
Lent invites us to examine whether we are striving for recognition or trusting the Father who sees in secret and rewards in secret (Matthew 6:4). Lent opens our heart to expose pride. Lent brings us to our knees to recognize the gravity of our sin.
The heart of our Savior is incredible. The most humiliating death one could have was the “ceremony of torture” found in the Roman cross. Yet he was willing to let go of all his pride to give his life for you and me. The cross was the ultimate descent. Yet Jesus did it to serve us.
Reflect: Am I striving for recognition instead of trusting God’s timing? How can I practice humility today in a concrete and quiet way?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You did not grasp at glory but humbled Yourself for my sake. Shape my attitude after Yours. Guard my heart from pride and impatience. Prepare me in the shadows for whatever light You choose to give. Amen.