Today's Devotion: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (The Holy Bible: New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Php 2:9-10). It was because Christ humbled himself that he was exalted. As a result, all power, honor, and glory was given to him.
Today's Comments: As I think about yesterday's Memorial Day ceremonies, I think about those soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines who died for their country. Harper's Bible Dictionary defines humility as follows:
humility, in the biblical world a value that directs persons to stay within their inherited social status, specifically by not presuming on others and avoiding even the appearance of lording over another. Humble persons do not threaten or challenge another’s rights, nor do they claim more for themselves than has been duly allotted them in life. They even stay a step below or behind their rightful status (e.g., the ‘unworthy’ John the Baptist, Mark 1:7). Thus humility is a socially acknowledged claim to neutrality in the competition of life. Conversely, to attempt to better oneself at the expense of others, to acquire more than others, to strive for honors others currently enjoy are all instances of proud and arrogant behavior. (Achtemeier, Paul J.; Harper & Row, Publishers; Society of Biblical Literature: Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985, S. 411).
I think that even good soldiers exercise traits of humility. They subordinate themselves to their superiors by staying in their given status or rank, they do not threaten or challenge others but give their orders and take action for the good of the group, they do not compete with each other but work as a team in their acknowledged roles and responsibilities.
There must be some sense of humility in a soldier's willingness to face death and to sacrifice oneself for others--- even strangers back home who enjoy the freedom that they protect. Maybe I am wrong, but I think this is worth thinking about. And, it is worth thinking about honoring those who in humility sacrificed their lives for their country. Therefore, let us put away our barbecues and three day weekends, and let us celebrate Memorial Day as it was meant to be celebrated--- in commemoration of those who humbled themselves to give their lives for us.
Today's Comments: As I think about yesterday's Memorial Day ceremonies, I think about those soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines who died for their country. Harper's Bible Dictionary defines humility as follows:
humility, in the biblical world a value that directs persons to stay within their inherited social status, specifically by not presuming on others and avoiding even the appearance of lording over another. Humble persons do not threaten or challenge another’s rights, nor do they claim more for themselves than has been duly allotted them in life. They even stay a step below or behind their rightful status (e.g., the ‘unworthy’ John the Baptist, Mark 1:7). Thus humility is a socially acknowledged claim to neutrality in the competition of life. Conversely, to attempt to better oneself at the expense of others, to acquire more than others, to strive for honors others currently enjoy are all instances of proud and arrogant behavior. (Achtemeier, Paul J.; Harper & Row, Publishers; Society of Biblical Literature: Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985, S. 411).
I think that even good soldiers exercise traits of humility. They subordinate themselves to their superiors by staying in their given status or rank, they do not threaten or challenge others but give their orders and take action for the good of the group, they do not compete with each other but work as a team in their acknowledged roles and responsibilities.
There must be some sense of humility in a soldier's willingness to face death and to sacrifice oneself for others--- even strangers back home who enjoy the freedom that they protect. Maybe I am wrong, but I think this is worth thinking about. And, it is worth thinking about honoring those who in humility sacrificed their lives for their country. Therefore, let us put away our barbecues and three day weekends, and let us celebrate Memorial Day as it was meant to be celebrated--- in commemoration of those who humbled themselves to give their lives for us.
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