A thought by Larry Osborne (2015-04-01) from his
book, Thriving in Babylon: Why Hope, Humility, and Wisdom Matter in a Godless Culture (Kindle Location 1552).
David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
I’m not really sure where we get our
definitions of some words. Larry shared
that there was one particular person who “saw respect as a one-way street. She
demanded it from others, but she gave it sparingly. They had to earn it. Her
approach to life and others was the antithesis of biblical humility.”
He then goes on to say that biblical
humility “goes much deeper than the hollow ‘yes, sir’ or ‘no, sir’ of a
Southern gentleman. It’s the real deal, a heartfelt deference that comes from
the recognition that everyone bears the image of God, no matter how marred that
image might be.”
Larry in dealing here with Daniel and
his time in the evil city of Babylon says, “This is the kind of respect that
Daniel and his three friends showed toward everyone they came across. They
never copped an attitude. From their jailers to a series of wicked kings, they
treated them all with a profound and humble respect. It didn’t matter if they
were seeking to be exempted from a nonkosher menu or firmly refusing to bow
down to worship an idol.” He then says, “I
find that their respectful attitude, words, and behavior were radically
different from the anger and resentment that is so common among many of us
today, especially when it comes to how we respond to those who are strongly
opposed to our values and faith.”
He says, “Daniel’s humble respect was
tied to his firm belief that God is in control of who is in control. It wasn’t
merely a theological axiom. It was a reality he lived by. He saw Nebuchadnezzar
as God’s servant, a wicked king allowed to reign for a period of time in order
to fulfill God’s sovereign purpose— in this case, the discipline and judgment
of Jerusalem for the sins of its people. Daniel wasn’t respectful because
Nebuchadnezzar deserved it. He was respectful because God commanded it.
Unfortunately, Daniel’s outlook and actions are incredibly rare today.”
We are God’s ambassadors. He wants to use us. But as Larry says, “If we’re unwilling to
treat godless leaders with respect, we’ll have no chance of influencing their
decisions and actions. No one listens to people who look down on them with
contempt or disdain.” Please see that “Biblical
humility offers respect to everyone.”
Let’s be the Daniel or the Joseph of our day.
So will you give it or do they have
to earn it?
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