“Humble themselves under the mighty hand of God.”

- 1 Peter 5:6

Robert Smith Jr. often says, “for every New Testament doctrine, there is an Old Testament picture.” So it is with humility and the servant of God. In the Old Testament, God favors the lowly shepherd.

Think about Abraham and Lot: Lot, taking his place at the table Sodom, and Abraham, tending to sheep in the pastures of the hills. God chooses Abraham.

Think about Esau and Jacob: Esau, the duke of Edom, a great hunter and man for the ages, and Jacob, tending the flocks. God chooses Jacob.

Think about Moses and Pharaoh: Pharaoh, the king of the greatest empire of his day; and Moses, tending sheep on the backside of the desert. God chooses Moses.

Think about David and Saul: Saul, from the house of Kish of Benjamin, called to be king over Israel; and David, tending his father's sheep. God chooses David.

The Old Testament paints a vivid picture of greatness: a king, keeping the flock; a prince, feeding lambs. And God has not changed. When King Jesus arrives, God first tells the shepherds (Lk. 2). The news of the Great Shepherd comes first to the lowly shepherds because God never divorces humility from greatness.

So many of us seek to be great. Remember that no one in God's kingdom can sit high on a throne unless they are first found sitting low in a field. God never divorces humility from greatness.

Press on,
Pastor Harp