Readings for today: Judges 7:1-8:17, Luke 23:13-43, Psalms 97-98, Proverbs 14:7-8
Admittedly, I stole the title of this blog from Tim Keller but I love that phrase, “self-forgetfulness.” It is the key to godly living. Keller argues that true humility is not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought or less of yourself than you ought. It is thinking of your “self” less. Read that last sentence again. Thinking of your “self” less.
If you want an example of what this looks like, consider Gideon. He’s just won an amazing victory over the Midianites. His fame is growing. His star is on the rise. His enemies are having nightmares about him. And as he returns from battle, he meets the Ephraimites. And they are angry. They felt left out. They felt dismissed. Shamed for having not been included. “Then the men of Ephraim said to him, "What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?" And they accused him fiercely.” (Judges 8:1) Now if I were Gideon, I don’t think I’d respond well. I wouldn’t appreciate being falsely accused. My pride would get the best of me. But look at how Gideon responds. “And he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer? God has given into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I been able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger against him subsided when he said this.” (Judges 8:2-3) Isn’t that amazing? Gideon is humble. He is more than willing to share the glory with his fellow Israelites. He recognizes this victory is the Lord’s alone. He doesn’t think more highly of himself than he ought. He doesn’t think less of himself of than he ought. He simply thinks of himself less.
Godly men and women understand our lives our not our own. Our achievements and success is not our own. Everything we accomplish in this life comes from the Lord above. I love how the Psalmist put it today, “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.” (Psalms 97:1-6) When you keep your mind and heart fixed on who you serve - the Lord of the universe - you cannot help but think of your “self” less.
Friends, you have been created by God. All that you are and all that you have come from Him alone. He is your Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. He gave you your gifts and talents and abilities. He provided opportunities for you to succeed. He is orchestrating things you cannot see and cannot control in order to make more into the image of His Son. This is your eternal destiny! To be conformed into the image of Christ! God is at work to get you to decrease so that He can increase in your life! So set aside your focus on “self” and train your mind and heart to focus on Christ! This is the secret to a godly life.
Readings for tomorrow: Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:44-23:12, Psalms 99, Proverbs 14:9-10