These words provide plenty of material to consider. The first word that comes to mind is humility. For in being humble you grow. In growing, you are lifted up. When you’re lifted up by God, it brings you low in yourself and lifts Christ up.
Stooping lower. There’s certainly much to be said about humility in Scripture. In James 4, verse 10, the words are simple: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” In Biblehub.com, I like these words: “The tree, to grow upwards, must strike its roots deep downwards; so man, to be exalted, must have his mind deep-rooted in humility.”
A dictionary definition of “humble” says: “Not proud or haughty; not arrogant; reflecting in a spirit of submission.” Humbleness in today’s world is looked upon poorly. Humbleness in God’s world is look upon as a great gift.
Go down. Going down before the Lord represents surrender and acknowledgment of His authority. We lose ourselves and gain more of Him. Bibleoutlined.com says: “All must bow before the Lord, including the powerful . . . Kneeling represents surrender and acknowledgment of His authority. In doing this, God is allowed to do powerful work in our lives, and powerful work promotes victory in our faith.”
We gain much when we bow before God. We are strengthened in our walk with Him. He opens our minds so we can understand Scripture clearer. Our faith becomes deeply rooted because we have trusted and accepted God’s way over ours.
God works in mysterious ways to the man or women who humbles and bows before Him. James 4:6 says: “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” Biblerepository.com says: "The phrase, 'But he gives us more grace' emphasizes God’s boundless mercy and favor towards us, particularly those who choose humility over pride . . . God honors our humility and responds with a generous outpouring of grace . . . Humility acts like a bridge to connection with others as well as with God. When we admit our shortcomings, we open the door to deeper relationships and shared experiences. It’s an important truth to recognize: the more we embrace humility, the closer we draw to one another and to God."
Stooping lower. Go Down. It’s not hard to do. Once you realize all you gain by being humble before God, your choice of being first will slowly disappear. His gifts are so much greater than anything we can do for ourselves. His are the best gifts.
