The Place of Humiliation

October 2nd, 2013 by Dave Leave a reply »

If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us —Mark 9:22

After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6 , Mark 9:14-23).

“If you can do anything . . . .” It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of the valley? You may be able to give a testimony regarding your sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you right now? The last time you were on the mountain with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus— will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?

Journal DJR

Good Morning Lord,
I understand the mountain top experience, and its value. And the valley experience and their value … although that usually happens when looking back after exiting the valley. But the time in between the mountaintops and the valleys, where much of life is lived, what are we to do there? How are we to live for you in those neutral places? And is there a way to live there that makes us better able to live well in the valleys and the mountaintops?
All of life is preparation and character building. One thing to strive for in all three states is connection with me … like I did with Father when I was there (John 5:19 etc) If you stay connected and curious, you will be ready for what’s next. Staying connected is hardest for most of you in the neutral place, it’s where you forget who you are and who I am. There is neither agony nor ecstasy and you wander off on your own pursuits…. That is where a continual attitude of Curiosity will help you keep your connection with me strong. And then the blindsiding events of life …wont really blindside you. Together we’ll get through everything.

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