Scripture for Today: II Samuel 22:28 “You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

“There was an old lady who swallowed a fly,” is a fun children’s rhyme that progressively becomes more absurd. This old lady, rather than ask for help, takes matters into her own hands by swallowing first a spider to catch the fly. When that does not work she swallows a bird, then a cat, then a dog, then a cow, and at the end, a horse, “…she’s dead, of course!” If she had just swallowed her pride with the fly, she could have asked for help!

Today’s verse is part of David’s psalm of praise for God’s deliverance from his enemies and from Saul. David called out to the Lord (verse 4) and he was answered in a spectacular way! Perhaps the outcome would have been very different had he not humbled himself. If like the old woman and the fly, David had tried to solve his problem by himself, he would have missed seeing God’s remarkable power work in his favor. God responds to the humble but in fact opposes the proud. (I Peter 5:5b) When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, the Lord promises to lift us up in His timing. (verse 6)

There is such a strong independent spirit in me that says: “I can do this.” “I am fine.” “I’ve got this.” “I can handle it.” I can almost see the Lord shaking His head at me. He wants to lift me up out of the mess. He wants to show grace, favor, and blessing. But He waits for humility on my part. It is when in humility I admit my weaknesses that He shows His incredible grace and strength! (II Corinthians 12:9)

Lord, I humbly ask for Your grace today!

(By the way, this post was written and scheduled last week!)