Humble Submission

Those two words, humble submission, don’t always spark a “pick me,” mindset. Usually the last thing we want to do is to submit to someone or something, let alone do it with a humble spirit.

Have you ever been promised something that took a long time to receive? How did you handle the waiting? Were you patient because you believed that at the right time everything would fall into place or were you anxious and tried to take matters into your own hands?

King David was anointed to the position of king at a very young age and yet it was nearly 15 years before he actually became the king. In the waiting, God was training.

As David fled from place to place he became very familiar with the land and people that he would rule over. His band of men were outcasts and he would learn firsthand how the other half lived.

He was given opportunities to take matters into his own hands and end King Saul’s and Nabal’s lives, which many encouraged him to do, but it wouldn’t have been God’s will.

In those tests, God provided opportunities to choose His will by using conviction of his spirit and a Godly woman named Abigail. He always provides a way out. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Abigail also lived in humble submission. She was respectful and resourceful in the way she handled both Nabal and David. I believe she lived out God’s will as it’s written, “Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Even though Nabal didn’t appear to be a godly man, Abigail trusted God and lived her life in humble submission to God’s will. I imagine she had several nights that she prayed for her surly husband as she endured loneliness even though she was married.

Her humble spirit was present when she met David and his men on the road as she bowed down to honor him. It was her humble submission that opened the door for God’s words to be received.

In the waiting God was training them both how to humbly submit to God’s will. He gave them tests along the way to refine their character and build their trust in Him. As time went on they could see how God had fully equipped them to serve their purposes when the time came.

How do you submit to God’s timing and training? Are there issues in your life that you have been waiting to have resolved? Relationships mended? Healing to take place? Prayers to be answered?

There are lessons to be learned in all of those situations and they will all play a part in your purpose. David and Abigail’s training grounds were no surprise to God, rather they were precisely planned events that molded them to be the people they were created to be.

Our training grounds will do the same for us. We can choose to fight and complain against the obstacles or we can choose to humbly submit knowing that God is in complete control and has given us everything we need to persevere.

The best part of the training ground is that our relationship with Christ is growing and maturing. He is with us every step of the way and each time that we trust in Him for the outcome and face the obstacles with Him by our side, our humble submission results in victory.

My Prayer

Father, I am in awe of the many ways that You provide for us to grow closer to You. In the training grounds, You are always with us, encouraging us, teaching us and loving us. Help us to humbly submit our lives and circumstances to You. Give us Your perspective on them and help us to remember that You love us and that Your plans for us are good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”