There's something about things like the ocean, the mountains, a natural landmark, an act of kindness, communal worship of our God that make us feel small and undeserving, yet, puts us in complete awe.
The posture that our hearts and mindsets are positioned in at these moments, is one we should have often because of God's love and presence He freely blesses us with.
What stops us from being more humble and grateful? The belief that we're deserving. That we deserve these gifts or even more than we're graciously given. That we deserve more than someone else does.
When we reject this posture, we miss out on an amazing experience with God. Yesterday, my church ended with the song Gratitude by Brandon Lake. I was suddenly overcome with emotions from past hurts, past sins. I felt small, I felt messy, I felt sad, but a feeling came over me that strengthened and affirmed me. I felt so grateful to God for how He broke me from my chains of sin and how He's brought me this far, even with what I've been through.
I was undeserving, I was a mess, yet, His grace rescued me.
Surface-level appreciation, where we say, “thank you,” but deep down believe we deserved the kind act, is close to the total opposite of humble gratitude. It’s time we shift into a humbler appreciation toward God and others.
The result of Ruth’s hard work was all possible for one reason – God was graciously taking care of Naomi and her. Just like us, Ruth had never done anything to earn God’s favor, but He gave it because He loved her. He showed it to Ruth by leading her to Boaz’s field where she experienced the man’s caring nature. In response, Ruth expressed that she felt undeserving of his kindness. Yet, she didn’t reject him reaching out to her, but never expected more than what was given. Once home, she shared, with gratefulness, the experience with Naomi while also sharing the food she’d received for lunch.
Three steps for being humbly grateful: First, reflect on our situation. Ruth realized that Boaz could’ve chosen to ignore or treat her badly and, sadly, she wouldn’t have been able to do much about it. However, Boaz not only treated her with decency, but with favor. Sometimes, we need to realize the alternative, what we’d normally receive, or even what we deserve to get, to see how grateful we should be. Second, gratefully receive what has or is being given. Humility isn’t neglecting kindness or help. It’s simply accepting it with rejoicing and a heart full of gratitude, knowing you didn’t earn or necessarily deserve it. Third, share with others. Share an experience of wonder, God’s goodness, His forgiveness, our testimony, or even the physical blessings we’ve received.
Here’s how not to be humbly grateful: Be easily offended – An awe-filled experience can be ruined by dwelling on even the smallest offense. Remedy this with compassion and forgiveness. Forget how far God has brought you – When you forget where you were before you met Jesus, you begin to have a deserving mindset. Instead, thank Him often for breaking your chains. Give appreciation only to people – If it’s truly good, it’s not just from a human, but really a gift from God. Don’t miss giving praise to your Heavenly Father.
God’s Guidance:
Ruth 2:5-9 (NIV) – “Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?” The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.””
Ruth 2:10-13 (NIV) – “At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.””
Ruth 2:14-17 (NIV) – “At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.” So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.”
Ruth 2:18-19 (NIV) – “She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough. Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!” Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.”
Ruth 2:20-21 (NIV) – ““The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.” Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.’””
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Deuteronomy 8:2-5 (NIV) – “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.”
James 1:17 (NIV) – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Application:
1. Whenever you say the words, “Thank you,” try to make sure you feel it in your heart
2. Pray, whether in your head, verbalized, or written out, a prayer of pure gratefulness to God, do this routinely
3. Choose to quickly forgive others and release any grudges, so that nothing blocks you from experiencing the feeling of being humbly grateful
Strength Point:
Experiencing a heart of true gratitude for God and what He’s done for us, can change a moment, our lives, and even how we view the world.
Song of the Week:
Reflection Question:
What makes you feel humble and grateful at the same time?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being my Savior. I'm so undeserving of Your love for me. I'm sorry for believing that I deserve Your grace, Your mercy, Your attention, Your __. I pray that You would save me from my pride. Gently humble me when I need it, Lord. Continue to enliven my soul by reminding me each day of who You are. Help me to see You in the small, everyday wonders as much as I do in the big ones. Let me be filled with so much awe and gratitude for You that I'm quick to share it with others. Teach me to fill my conversations with Your goodness. Thank You for loving me, even at my worst. God, I could never thank You or praise you enough. I love You always, Lord! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for dying for our salvation. We're so undeserving of Your love for us. Help me friend to realize that, even though You give things like grace, mercy, and attention, they don't deserve it - none of us ever could. I pray that You would save them from their pride. Gently humble my friend when they need it, Lord. Continue to enliven their soul by reminding them each day of who You are. Help my friend to see You in the small, everyday wonders as much as in the big ones. Let them be filled with so much awe and gratitude for You that they're quick to share it with others. Teach my friend to fill their conversations with Your goodness. Thank You for loving us, even at our worst. God, we could never thank You or praise you enough. I love You always, Lord! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
March is Women’s History Month! Celebrate with us by being inspired by these female artists: Anna Moore, Chloe Grace, and Ruth Chou Simons.
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