Humbled Now, Lifted With Jesus

The low place warmed by a higher light, Jesus lifts the humble

Devotional Credit: Day by Day by Grace, Bob Hoekstra
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Humility is the doorway into the life Jesus shares with us. Bob Hoekstra points to the pattern we see in our Lord. Jesus chose the low place, obeyed the Father to the point of the cross, and the Father raised Him and seated Him at His right hand. The path down in surrender became the path up in glory.

This is not a ladder for us to climb by effort. It is a Person who now lives in us. In Jesus we are given a new life that does not boast in self, that does not strive to prove worth, that simply yields to the One who already secured our worth by His death and resurrection. The Father highly exalted His Son, and in union with the Son, the Father lifts us into forgiveness, freedom, growth, and fruitfulness.

The Scriptures promise that those who insist on exalting themselves end in loss, while those who bow to Jesus enter the good of His exaltation. In the corporate salvation God is forming in His Son, He gathers a people into the risen life of Jesus, a people who share what belongs to their Head. We are not earning anything. We are receiving what is already true in the King, and learning to walk it out together.

So today we take the low place with joy. We gladly agree with God about who Jesus is, and who we are in Him. We consent to His reign within, knowing that the Father who raised Jesus is actively at work to lift us into all that grace has provided.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

I delight to make Jesus known in you. I formed this path of life in Him, humility first, exaltation following. He made Himself nothing and became obedient to death, and I raised Him and seated Him far above every rule and name. You are joined to Him. Your life is hidden with Christ in God, and I bear witness that you are no longer in Adam. Your old self was crucified with Him, and you now live by faith in the Son of God.

Therefore, walk lowly with Me. I give grace to the humble. I lift the contrite. I bring the poor in spirit into the riches of the kingdom. When you choose the towel over the throne, I show you that you already share His throne by grace. When accusation tries to bind you, remember there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Present yourself to Me, a living sacrifice, and I will renew your mind so that you may discern what is good and pleasing in the will of the Father.

I am not asking you to climb to Me. I have come to dwell in you. Abide in My love. Keep step with Me. As you bow under the mighty hand of God, I exalt you in due time. I seat you with Jesus in heavenly places so that in the coming ages the Father might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward you. This is your portion. This is your inheritance as a joint heir with Christ. Receive it with thanksgiving, and let Me express the life of Jesus through you today.

Real-Life Analogy

Think about setting a thermostat on a chilly morning. You do not heat the house by waving your hands or pacing the room. You set the temperature, and the system supplies the warmth. Humility is like setting the heart to Jesus. You consent to His rule, and the Holy Spirit supplies His life. You are not forcing warmth from within yourself. The presence of the indwelling Spirit does the warming.

A simple practice today. When that difficult email lands, instead of pushing to win the point, set the thermostat to the low place and let Jesus respond through you. Whisper, Lord, I trust You to express Your gentle authority in my words right now, and to love this person through me. Then write from that settled place, confident that the Spirit of Jesus will carry the tone and truth.

Prayer of Confidence

Father, thank You that in Jesus the pattern is settled, humility leading to exaltation. Thank You that I am united with Him, crucified with Him, raised with Him, and seated with Him. Thank You that Your Spirit abides in me to express the life of Your Son in real moments. I gratefully receive the low place that You honor. I affirm that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, and that Your grace is sufficient for every step I take today. I rest in what is already true, and I rejoice that You lift up the humble in due time. Amen.

Scripture References for the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture Section
Luke 18:9-14, Philippians 2:5-11, Ephesians 1:20-23, Colossians 3:1-4, Romans 6:1-14, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:17, Ephesians 2:4-7, Titus 2:11-12, James 4:6-10, 1 Peter 5:5-7, John 15:1-5, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Isaiah 9:6-7, Revelation 19:11, Hebrews 4:16, Matthew 11:28-30