“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:13-14)
Let’s focus on the very last phrase of these two verses: “The Lord . . . lifts up all who are bowed down.”
It’s hard for true praise and true pride to do a sack race together. They’re both going in different directions. If you don’t get rid of one or the other, it turns into this kind of awkward wrestling match as they both attempt to drag each other toward opposite finish lines.
Now when I’m engulfed in pride – when every thought comes back to me – I can still fake-praise God. And I can be convincing, just in case you’re watching. But it’s not true praise. My pride doesn’t leave any mental oxygen for legitimately praising someone else if it doesn’t also benefit me.
But – and this is amazing to me – if I kick pride to the curb and truly humble myself before God, what does he go and do? He lifts me up. When I selflessly elevate him to the top of my heart, he elevates me.
I don’t know why he would do that, but I love him for it.
Think: How do you know when you are engulfed in pride, when everything in your life is all about you? How do you change that and force yourself to bow in humility before him?
Pray: Thank God that he upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Do: Read (and memorize?) how Peter puts this same idea in 1 Peter 5:6.