Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another. – 1 Peter 5:5
Dr. A. B. Simpson was born in 1843 to parents of Scottish descent. Simpson accepted Christ as his Savior at age fifteen and was soon called by God to preach the gospel. After graduating from college, he accepted his first pastorate at one of Canada’s largest and most influential congregations.
The Lord then led Simpson to a church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he discovered a deep compassion for the lost. In Louisville, He gave Simpson a vision for a city-wide revival, and hundreds were converted. Later Simpson held independent evangelistic meetings in New York City and eventually helped to form and led two evangelization societies: The Christian Alliance and The Evangelical Missionary Alliance. As thousands joined these two groups, Simpson sensed a need for the two to become one. In 1897, they became The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Simpson also published over 70 books, edited a weekly magazine for nearly 40 years, and wrote many gospel songs and poems. Paul Rader, former pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, said: “He was the greatest heart preacher I ever listened to. He preached out of his own rich dealings with God.”
However, Simpson understood that humility is the most important lesson a follower of Jesus must learn. He once said, “God is not looking for extraordinary characters as His instruments, but He is looking for humble instruments through whom He can be honored throughout the ages.”
True humility comes through submission to your Heavenly Father. Pray for Him to manifest that in your life. As you do, intercede for your local and national leaders to put away pride and find strength in their humility before Him.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 4:1-10
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
