Secret Weapon March 12, 2025
I Peter 5:5 MSG
2 Samuel 7:12-13
There was a time when being called (or thought of) as being down to earth would not have been a great compliment. Another word during that time could have been being plain and simple.
I grew up in a world where being bold and flashy was considered to be a characteristic to seek and admire. In college I majored in communication (Speech) and to get an A you had to be bold and a bit flashy. Being a bold leader was a quality that was admired.
I Peter 5:5 we are told, “you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people.”
We might wonder why God is not impressed with the proud.
Then we remember Jesus…who is God. Although Jesus did eventually draw large crowds he was humble and kind. He was what we would call a common man, a carpenter and the son of a carpenter.
Jesus was a Jewish man born of a young woman of the tribe of Judah. Joseph, her betrothed was a carpenter from Nazareth and he was also from the tribe of Judah.
We know from the words of the Prophet Samuel spoken to David (King David) in 2 Samuel 7:12-13, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
See in this case King David wanted to build a grand Temple so the people could worship Yahweh God. But God sent the Prophet Samuel to tell David he would not build the Temple. Someone who came after (his son Solomon) was chosen to build the Temple.
King David and King Solomon were from the tribe of Judah. The tribe of Judah was known as the Lion of Judah. Which makes us remember that lions are not “just plain”. So why did God tell Peter to be down to earth? It seems to me that being down to earth also means being practical and realistic.
The lion is practical and realistic. They are calculating and cunning. A lion will not attack a full grown elephant or a rhinoceros. It’s not a question of pride. It’s about realism.
David was a cunning warrior and he was what Israel needed at that time. King Solomon was known for his wisdom and he was chosen to build the temple.
You were created for a purpose and it’s God’s desire that you fulfill that purpose. As you serve God seek to be practical and realistic like the lion. Listen. Think. Serve.
In Jesus,
Deborah/acrazyjourney.com
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