James 1:9-11
"Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits."
glory in Christ, not myself
When I read this passage, I often struggle because I know that on a global scale, I am one of the wealthy ones. I have secure lodgings, plenty of food and clean water, ample clothing, and all sorts of amenities that are above and beyond my basic needs. So I identify with the rich, and that makes me uncomfortable. Who do you most identify with in this passage? Whatever we may appear to be in the eyes of the world, lowly or rich, our true status is determined by our relationship to God. Where is the “lowly” brother’s exaltation? It is in his belonging to God in Christ. The lowly brother knows need and seeks peace. Where is the rich man’s humiliation? Perhaps it is shown in the comparison of the temporary nature of the earth’s goods with the eternal nature of God the Creator. He may be one who “has it all” but he still seeks peace. Our status before God is far, far different than our status before the world. For all of us, our only secure identification, our only avenue to peace is in Jesus.
When we get bogged down by what we lack, we have an alternative: Be lifted up in the spiritual reality of belonging to God, being at peace with Him, and having a future inheritance in His kingdom. When we find ourselves walking in a fleeting confidence because of favorable circumstances: Take note, and be humble, for the comforts and riches of this world are temporary and ever changing! Jesus said that whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whoever exalts himself will be humbled. (Matt.23:12)
Is your ‘glass’ half-full or is it half-empty? Either way, the thing we can glory in and dwell upon, is not the present state but the fact that in Christ, our cup is in the process of being filled, and will one day be completely spilling over.
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