Oh Lord it's hard to be HUMBLE?

 REALLY? Is it hard to be humble?

As I read Jeremiah 46-48 today, HUMILIATION was the word that really caught my attention. Egypt was humiliated in the war with Babylon. Philistia was humiliated and Moab was humiliated. 

God places great value on the human characteristic of Humility. In Numbers 12:3 Moses was described as humble:

"Now Moses was very humble -- more humble than any other person on earth. "(Num. 12:3)

Deuteronomy 8:13 warned Israel not to become proud and forget the Lord. God made Israel go through many trials in the wilderness in an attempt to humble the young nation:

"He fed you manna in the wilderness, a food unkown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good." (Deut. 8:16)

God constantly lifts humble above the arrogant and proud:

"Pride leads to discrace, but with humility comes wisdom. " (Proverbs 11:2)

"And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor" (James 4:6-7,10)

Judah, Egypt, Philistia, and Moab thought highly of themselves. They were arrogant and prideful. They outwardly rejected God and thought they no loner needed HIM. This sounds familiar!

The more I read about the nations in the book of Jeremiah, the more I realize we are living in a similar time. God will have the last word and we will be brought low. We will be humiliated and eventually every knee will bow in great humbleness. 

Today is the day to turn to the Lord. Today is the day to confess your weakness and your need for a Savior. Today is the day for us to turn from our wickedness, arrogance, and pride. Our nation can avoid much pain and turmoil by humbling ourselves before the Lord. 

It isn't that hard to be humble!

"At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)