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Does anyone know what the number one TV show on cable has been for about the past year? It’s pretty hard to avoid the show altogether because so many people watch it, quote it, and buy its merchandise. I’m talking about the hit show on A & E called “Duck Dynasty”. In case you’ve been living under a rock and have heard nothing about it, it’s a reality show based on the lives of the Robertson family, who became wealthy manufacturing duck calls in Louisiana and were asked to allow cameras to follow what they do and how they live. Everyone who watches the show knows the family has Christian beliefs because they pray and talk about them openly. Yet, for some reason, the network was outraged this past week when it was discovered that the family’s father, Phil Robertson, shared his beliefs about homosexuality being a sin in a recent interview with a magazine AFTER he was asked what he believes is sinful behavior. Friends, all he did was quote Scripture, and his “comments” (which are actually the words of the Apostle Paul inspired by God in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) have been labeled as “hateful”. The story has been all over the news and has incited debates on both sides of the issue. A & E removed him from the show indefinitely and have taken their stand against his views.

I didn’t bring this up to rekindle any debate about homosexuality. You can read other blogs for that discussion. What I want to focus on here is the fact that Phil Robertson did not bash anyone and did not express hate to anyone. He merely quoted words from the Bible, a book in which he puts his trust. Rather than spouting words of hate and sharing his opinions, he simply quoted the Bible and left the rest up to God. His family has since said that some of his other statements were a bit coarse, but that he stands behind the Bible in which he believes. James tells the early Christians, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (4:10). While most who disagree with Robertson’s “comments” will not view them as humble, I remind you again that he quoted Scripture in an article he knew would get national attention. I don’t know him or his heart and I’m sure he has his sins like everyone else. But it seems to me that he has exemplified humility and submission to Scripture rather than his own opinions, and is trusting God to lift him up.

The best example of humility was set almost 2,000 years ago when Jesus came into this world through a virgin woman and was born and placed in a manger, according to Luke 2:7. God could have chosen lots of different ways to enter our world, but he knew his life and ministry on earth in the person of Jesus of Nazareth would be marked by humility and suffering rather than wealth, splendor, or political domination. As Katie mentioned in Monday’s post, Philippians 2:6-8 explains the humility of Jesus beginning with “making himself nothing” (i.e. born in a manger) and continuing until he allowed himself to be a suffering servant crucified for our sins, as the prophecy of Isaiah 53 declares. However, that was not the end! Jesus was born in a manger, but he did not stay there. He died on the cross, but he did not stay there. He was buried in the ground, but he did not stay there! Immediately after we are reminded of Jesus’ humility in Philippians, we read about his reward. “Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). The word “therefore” connects the words that come before it and the words that come after it. We can only deduce from this that Jesus’ exaltation was a direct reward for his obedience and humility.

The Apostle Peter wrote words almost identical to those of James, but added two key phrases. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). The key phrases are “under God’s mighty hand” and “in due time”. The question for you is whether you trust in God’s might enough to humble yourself and wait for HIM to lift you up when HE says it’s time, not when you do. Jesus lived on this earth for approximately 33 years between the manger and the cross. That’s a long time to live in humility. But make no mistake about it, Revelation 19:11-16 explains how he will return to the earth. He will be the “rider on a white horse” with “many crowns”, will have a “sharp sword out of his mouth with which to strike down the nations”, and will have “on his thigh the name ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ written”. Jesus was humbly obedient like a silent lamb in the manger and on the cross, but he will return like a conquering lion!

What trials in your life right now do you need to approach with humility? Do you trust God that he can and will lift you up when the time is right? Do you believe he can do this without you needing to defend yourself even one bit? If so, I challenge you to stand on God’s Word and his promises as Phil Robertson and many others have done. When it seems like things are dim and God is not paying attention to your plight, remember that the soldiers mocked Jesus and celebrated his death as if they had won a victory. They didn’t know that it wasn’t the end. Whatever you are going through, God knows. He wants you to trust him enough to be humble, and then patiently wait for him to lift you up.