[ Today's Readings ]
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
The problem is not so much the place specific place. The problem is when we take it on ourselves. After all, if the host sees we are sitting at too low of a place he invites us to move up to a higher position. The problem is when we take a higher position for ourselves rather than receiving it from the LORD. Even if the world is leaving the seat vacant for us we still need to wait on God to place us there. Otherwise, if we exult ourselves we will be humble. But if we choose to receive only those honors which God gives us we experience true exultation. It is exultation which can't be taken away because it comes from God and not for pride or ego.
My soul is thirsting for the living God.
In order to make this work in practice we have to thirst for God rather than for honor. If we thirst primarily for honor we see the open seat and take it. Our minds are preoccupied with what we deserve. If we thirst for God we become more interested in his plans than in what we believe we deserve.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
Even life and death become indifferent to us as long as we can serve the LORD. To others death might seem to be the lower place and life the higher. But we ought to be less concerned about these things than that "Christ will be magnified" in us.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
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