Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 PETER 5:6-7
Humble people realize they need the Lord. Humble people don’t think they have it all together. Humble people don’t think they can solve their own problems. Humble people don’t think they can provide for themselves. Humble disciples cast all their anxieties and cares upon God, knowing how much he cares for them. When we cast our cares on the Lord, we are saying, “Lord, I am weak. I am needy. I can’t do this on my own. I need you.”
That is why Jesus takes his disciples through deserts and valleys. To help us realize how much we need him. To help us become humble, like him.
4. Jesus teaches his disciples to be patient.
Queen pretty much summed up the way most of us are naturally: “I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now.” I have told people I never pray for patience because I know God will take me through something that will require it.
Jesus teaches his disciples to be patient. To wait for him to fulfill his purpose in his perfect timing. To trust he will save their children in his timing. The trust he will provide for them in his timing. He tells us:
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! PSALM 27:14
Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. And like all fruit, patience takes time to grow. Wouldn’t it be great if we were automatically patient? Sorry. Take a deep breath. Jesus will make you patient little by little. Day after day. Keep seeking him, asking him for grace and help and patience and joy. You’ll get there.
5. Jesus teaches his disciples to believe that he works all things together for their good.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ROMANS 8:28
If we really believed that God works all things for our good we would never grumble or complain about anything.
When we are tempted to grumble or complain, the best question we can ask ourselves is what am I believing about God right now? Do I believe he is good and loving? Do I believe he is using this to make me more like Christ? Do I believe he is in control of all things? Do I believe God is infinitely wise and knows what is best for me?
6. Jesus teaches his disciples to endure to the end.
Even when Jesus walked the earth many of his disciples followed him for a while then fell away. When Jesus taught that believers must “eat his flesh” and “drink his blood” many quit following him:
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. JOHN 6:66
In the parable of the four soils, Jesus said that some people receive his word with joy initially but then the cares and worries of this life cause them to fall away.
And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. MARK 4:16-17
I know there are various interpretations of these verses, but what is clear is that not all who initially respond to God’s word with joy persevere when they suffer “on account of the word.”
