7-day plan: Humility and Service
God looks on the humble and resists the proud; Jesus came to serve and invites us to do the same.
One passage a day, with a question to think it over. Your progress stays on this device, no account needed.
Day 1 · God looks on the humble
God, whose throne is heaven, looks to the afflicted and downcast who tremble at his word
Thus says YHWH: “The heavens are my throne, and the earth the footstool of my feet. Where is this house that you would build for me, and where is this place of my rest? And all these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares YHWH. But to this one I will look: to the afflicted and the stricken in spirit, and the one who trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:1–2 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What does this passage say about what God is like?
Day 2 · Pride before the fall
Pride goes before destruction
Before a breaking comes pride, and before a fall, haughtiness of spirit. Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.
Proverbs 16:18–19 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Which word or phrase stays with you, and why?
Day 3 · Jesus humbled himself
Paul asks us to think like the Messiah, who, in the form of God, became a slave, even to a cross
Do nothing from selfish ambition or from empty conceit, but in humility regard one another as surpassing yourselves, each not looking out for their own interests but each also for the interests of others. Think this way among yourselves, which was also in the Messiah Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God something to be seized, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming to be in the likeness of human beings; and being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and granted him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:3–11 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Paul asks that everything be done without grumbling or arguing (v. 14). Where in your day could you try that?
Day 4 · Serving others
Whoever wants to be great must serve; the Son of Man came to serve
And summoning them, Jesus says to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you; rather, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42–45 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
The blind man cried out for mercy and Jesus heard him (vv. 47–52). What need of yours can you voice without shame?
Day 5 · God looks on the humble
God is high, yet he looks on the humble
For YHWH is high, yet the lowly he sees, but the haughty from afar he knows.
Psalms 138:6 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Who could you share this with this week?
Day 6 · Pride before the fall
Insolence comes, then dishonor; wisdom is with the modest
Insolence comes, and disgrace comes; but with the modest is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What would you like to say to God after reading it?
Day 7 · Jesus humbled himself
Jesus says of himself that he is gentle and humble in heart
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to him (v. 28). What burden could you bring to him today?