Though Yahweh is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Psalm 138:6
Question…which are you and I, the lowly Yahweh sees, or the proud he knows from afar? In a few simple words, David captures in this psalm one of the primary messages of the Bible—that true blessings flow not if you “believe in yourself,” but if you believe in Yahweh. This truth echoes throughout the corridors of God’s Word, voiced by various authors from various places speaking during various times. The words they choose may vary, but the message is still the same…divine blessings are not for those who proudly trust in self but for those who humbly trust in God. We see it in the Garden of Eden in Adam and Eve’s unwillingness to trust that Yahweh God had their best interest at heart. So, they give in to doubt and disbelief and seek their own way instead. And here, in short, is the story of us—always turning away from God’s path to pursue our own path. It is what we read about in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” It is the message echoed again in Isaiah 53:6, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” This is the tragedy of the sin nature—the proclivity to seek our own way. And yet, inherent in the condemnation of seeking our own way is the implication that there is another way, a better way, God’s way. It is what we read about in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Here is the way of divine wisdom, looking not to self, but to God. It is God’s word to Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh Almighty.” This call to humbly look to God only continues in the New Testament. James challenges us, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (4:10). And this is a challenge that sounds awfully similar to that of Peter, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7). And where did James and Peter get this message from? Or, better yet, who did they get it from? Jesus says, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Over and over and over again this message is repeated in Scripture. Why is it so needed? Pride. It is sinful pride that causes us to stubbornly hold to our own way, our own strength, our own will. It is pride that makes us think that we can do it without God. Even as believers, we are drawn to the bumper sticker theology that says, “God is my co-pilot.” But God will not be co-pilot, He is “O Captain! My Captain!” Tragically, when we refuse to let God be God, we suffer the consequences not only of missing out on His providence, but of missing out on His presence… “The proud he knows from afar.” Bette Middler waxed nostalgic about the God who is watching us “from a distance.” But far from nostalgic, to only receive God’s gaze from a distance is, according to David, tragic! In contrast to a distant gaze is what we see in the first half of Psalm 138:6, “Though Yahweh is on high, he looks upon the lowly.” More literally, the Hebrew says, “the lowly he sees!” It’s true, God is exalted, holy, on high! Yet, for those who look to Him in faith, He is a present, loving Father watching over them. He sees the humble. Isn’t that what we want? To be seen? When children say that they feel “invisible,” that’s not a good thing! It means that they don’t feel like others see them or care about them. But to be seen is to be noticed, cared for, loved. This is why Hagar’s title for Yahweh is so rich (Genesis 16). When she calls Him “the God who sees me,” she is saying that though she had been treated by man as nothing, as less than nothing, she was not invisible to God. He saw her plight. He understood her pain. He cared. So, back to our question…are you and I of the proud who Yahweh knows from afar, or are we of the lowly who He sees? This isn’t rocket science. When we are faced with obstacles, do we first and foremost look to our own scheming and strength, or do we turn in dependence to God? When we feel crushed by pain, do we run to drugs or alcohol or comfort food or distractions, or do we run to God? When we awake each morning, are we driven by our own pursuits, will, desires, or are we driven to seek and serve the Lord? O God, teach us to increasingly live lives of humble trust in you…that we might be counted among those you see! For Christ and His Kingdom! Pastor Dan
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Dan GannonDan has ministered at Renton Bible Church, with his wife Debbie, since 2003. Archives
June 2022
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