Humble Yourself

Today I read Numbers 14:23-16:38 and Luke 12:48-14:11. My favorite verses are:

Numbers 16:10 He has brought you and all the other Levites near himself, but now you demand to be priests.

Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Christ warned people that they should not exalt themselves. To do so is not only presumptuous in the eyes of other people, it is offensive to God. He will decide who is to be exalted and who is to be humbled. If we humble ourselves; that is, make ourselves of no account and give glory to God, then God will exalt us—raise us to a higher level. In the book of Numbers, some of the Levites declared that they should be counted as priests of God just as Aaron was. They wanted to exalt themselves to a position God had reserved for others. God not only humbled them, he took their lives. It is a very serious thing to take it upon yourself to instruct God! He is in control, and He will not give that privilege to anyone else. We can ask Him for things, but NEVER presume to tell Him what to do. We should present ourselves to God to be used in His service according to His perfect will.