“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” v.7

In this day when people promote themselves and take care of “number one,” it’s good to read verse 7. This rebukes our pride. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27). Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:6, “Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” No one in any position should think that he is there because God needs him.

Let’s realise that we are where we are because God put us there. But verse 7 not only rebukes our pride—it also encourages our patience. We need patience! Sometimes God allows His people to be under the tyranny of bad leaders or foreign dictators. Just as He did in the Old Testament, God allows us to go to difficult situation to break our wills and make us more like Him. Third, this relieves the pressure in our lives. Are you in a place of leadership? God put you there. And because He put you there, He will keep you there for as long as He wants. Be careful of pride. If we humble ourselves under His hand, that hand will turn over and left us up. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet.5:5).

Have you been struggling because you are under bad leaders at your workplace or in your church? Did poor decisions by others put them there? Bring your burden to God and talk to Him about it. Ask for His strength to continue and remember that He is the Judge.