Exalted by God

Let's take a few minutes this morning to think back over our lives. I know we have all had ups and downs, but today let's focus on the ups. What things have happened to you that were so great and unexpected that you never thought you would ever be able to experience such things? It could be an award you were given in school. Maybe it was a special promotion at work that could only have come from God's blessing on you. Of course, many of us look at our marriage, and we are amazed that God brought us just the right person, much more than we ever deserved. Whatever it was, we were exalted by God!

Esther is the perfect example of this. She was an orphan Jewish young lady who was exalted by God to be the Queen over the mighty Persian empire. The king made a search for a new queen, and Esther was chosen. (Esther 2:17) The king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. We know from the rest of the story that this was God exalting her.

The Bible is clear about the ones God exalts. He exalts the humble, and He humbles the proud. Yes, a proud person may reach a high position or become well known, but what they achieve on their own is nothing compared to what God could have done for them if they had been humble. Many times God brings them down after a time, too. When God exalts a person for his or her humility, they give Him all of the thanks and the credit for what He has done for them. Therefore, they get a blessing, and God gets the praise.

The Bible gives us Moses as an example of this, too. He was tending sheep on the back side of the desert when God came and exalted him to be the one to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses didn't think he was able to lead or speak well enough, but he did well, even while remaining the most humble man of his time. Let's decide to stay humble and see how God lifts us up to be able to do great things for Him. Then, let's give Him all the glory.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 3-5.