"HE HUMBLED HIMSELF!"

Philippians 2:1-11                  (ESV)

"1 So if there is any encouragement in CHRIST, any comfort from love, any participation in the SPIRIT, any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in CHRIST JESUS,

6 who, though HE was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied HIMSELF, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore GOD has highly exalted HIM and bestowed on HIM the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

Just WHO is GOD?  Some humankind claims to know GOD in a personal relationship, but they can't describe the vastness nor majesty of HIS being!  Even in writing this devotional today, time constraints and my limited vocabulary prevent me from adequately putting into words HIS MAJESTY!  How BIG GOD is, how LOVING GOD is, how FORGIVING GOD is, how WISE GOD is....there is no way to describe GOD, and yet GOD lives in my heart!  

We don't (and maybe I should use the word "can't") REALLY appreciate WHO GOD is or we wouldn't have a problem submitting ourselves to HIM!  To realize that we are merely a Creation of GOD, and yet "we think" we can circumvent GOD with what "we think" is best for us is a pretty big order!  When we SLOW DOWN enough to really grasp the MAJESTY and MAGNITUDE of a HOLY GOD it can shake our beings!  King David must have gotten a glimpse of GOD's MAJESTY when he wrote Psalms 46:10, "BE STILL, and KNOW that I AM GOD"!!

JESUS "emptied HIMSELF", readily gave up being a part of the GODHEAD, to become a servant for me (and you) to provide redemption for all before GOD the FATHER.  You see, GOD is HOLY and we are not, and the only way we can enter into HIS presence is to be HOLY.  JESUS knew the path HE would have to walk would not be what we would consider enjoyable, but "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" to redeem me.  How can there be any doubt about GOD loving us when JESUS, not only left HIS throne, but suffered death on a cross for me?  

There is a video that has been produced that shows the planet earth compared to other heavenly bodies that are known to mankind.  To comprehend the vastness of GOD (HE holds the universes in HIS hand according to Isaiah 48:12-22) one has to understand how much HE controls (Colossians 1:17) through JESUS!  And yet in JESUS "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" on my behalf to provide redemption for my soul.  Why should I allow myself to be humbled before others? Because "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF" for me!!!