THEREFORE HUMBLE YOURSELVES: Tapeinothete (2PAPM) oun: (Make a list of the truths on humility you discover in the following OT cross references - you will be edified and you might also be humbled!) (Ex 10:3; Lev 26:41; 1Ki 21:29; 2Ki 22:19; 2Chr 12:6,7,12; 30:11; 32:26; 2Chr 33:12,19,23; 36:12; Pr 29:23; Is 2:11; 57:15; Jer 13:18; 44:10; Da 5:22; Mic 6:8; Lk 14:11; 18:14; James 4:6,  4:10; 5:10) (See Torrey's analysis of the topic Humility)  

Related Resources: Humility; John Piper's sermon "Are You Humble Enough to be Care-Free?"

"Therefore" (oun), which serves as a challenge to both leaders and followers in the previous verses, in order to receive God's grace, be willing to submit with a humble attitude for

"GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE" (James 4:6)

J Vernon McGee adds that

"It is only when you and I come in humility that we will be able to know the grace of God....In view of the coming of Christ, humility should be the attitude of the child of God. Christ is the one who will establish justice and make things right when He comes. You cannot straighten out this world, although you may think you can." (Thru the Bible Commentary, volume 5, p713)

Humble (5013)(tapeinoo) (Click in depth study of root word tapeinos) literally means to bring to the ground or make level and figuratively to abase or cause someone to lose prestige or status) is an aorist command (aorist imperative) which is a call to make decision and even conveys a sense of urgency. The idea is "Do this now! Don't delay!" The passive voice indicates that we are to allow ourselves to be humbled by God. Allow God to lower your level of autonomy or  your own estimation of yourself.

Be willing to take a low place (which is literally what he verb humble implies), a place such as becomes you. Do not evince pride and haughtiness and do not exalt yourselves above others. Allow yourself to be humbled, accepting your lot and circumstances either sent by or allowed by the omnipotent, sovereign God Who loves you and desires your best and His glory through you. (cf 1Peter 1:7-note).  God will often allow suffering to bring about the fruit of humility in us. God allows or brings circumstances into our lives that we might understand that we are at the mercy of the Designer Who desires ultimately to conform us to "to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29, 30 see notes Ro 8:29-30). In His sovereignty and providence, God will place events and people into our live so that we can begin to see our need for Him.

Grant Richison points out that

"Humility is our responsibility...Humility is not self-effacement. It is not standing round shouldered. Do not confuse humility with asceticism. A humble person can use the first person singular "I." Humility is an attitude toward God that gives Him the credit for who we are and what we do."

Humility is not thinking humbly of oneself (see discussion of the first beatitude ). Rather, it is having the proper estimate of oneself in relationship to God (cf Romans 12:3-note). The Christian virtue of humility is the exact opposite of the worst of sins, which is pride. The pagan world did not admire humility. Instead, they admired pride and domination. The person with humility thinks of others first and not of himself and admits to a sense of dependence on God. 

Kenneth Wuest writes that

“Humility is a vice with heathen moralists, but a virtue with Christian apostles. Humility, when it becomes self-conscious, ceases to have any value."

UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD: HUPSOO: hupo ten krataian cheira tou theou: (Ex 3:19,20; 32:11)

Mighty (2900) (krataios from kratos [word study] = power, strength) refers to strength which is manifested. In context this indicates God is manifesting His strength in our lives, usually through allowing of providential circumstances (or people). Krataios refers to ruling power or the ability to rule and gives us our English words "autocratic" and "democratic".

"The...hand of God" was an OT picture of God's active presence and power working in the experience of men to accomplish His sovereign purpose (cf. Ex. 3:19,20; Dt 3:24 Job 30:20, 21 1Sa 5:11, 2Chr 30:12, Job 19:21). It refers to God's hand upon our destiny. Of course "the hand of God" is not literally referring to His hand but is what is called an anthropomorphism (an interpretation of God in terms of human or personal characteristics) and here is another way of describing God's providential activity or "manifest strength" in our lives, divinely orchestrating every circumstance and every trial that comes our way.

Peter's inference is that we are not to fight the sovereign hand of God, even (or especially) when His hand brings us into times of testing. We need to remember that because He is sovereign (in total control), whatever we experience must first be "filtered" through His "strong (omnipotent) hand of everlasting love". Do you resent challenging circumstances that God places/allows into your life?  We all need to come to the point where we like the Psalmist, declare to God that

"Thou hast a strong arm. Thy hand is mighty. Thy right hand is exalted." (Ps 89:13)

John MacArthur notes that

"One of the evidences of lack of submission and humility is impatience with God in His work of humbling believers."

THAT HE MAY EXALT YOU: hina humas hupsose (3SAAS):(Job 36:22; Ps 75:10; 89:16,17; Is 40:4; Ezek 17:21; 21:6; James 1:9,10)

"That" (hina) is a purpose clause, explaining in part the end result of humbling one's self before God. He will lift up suffering, submissive believers in His wisely appointed time ("in his good time he will honor you", NLT)

"Exalt" (5312)  (set you on high, lift up) (hupsoo) means to be lifted up or elevated and in context refers to a spiritual lifting or in a sense a revival. God will cause us to rise spiritually and we will placed on a higher spiritual plane when we humble ourselves before Him.  James adds the command

"Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." (Js 4:10) 

The cross before the crown principle was also taught by Jesus Who declared that

"whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." (Mt 23:12)

Mary in her exaltation of the Lord said "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble." (Lk 1:52) Humbling ourselves in order to be exalted is one of those great paradoxes of Christianity. If you want to go up, you must go down. John the Baptist understood this important but basic spiritual principle declaring of Christ that

"He must (present tense = continually) increase, but I must (present tense = continually) decrease." (Jn 3:30)

Paul had the "mighty hand of God" upon him in the form of a "thorn" (whatever that was) in his side and thereby came to understand that Christ's "...grace is sufficient..., for power is perfected in weakness."

As a result Paul went on to exclaim

"Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2Cor 12:9-10)

AT THE PROPER TIME: en kairo: (Dt 32:35; 1Ti 2:6; Titus 1:3)

"In due time” (Amplified)
"when the time comes you may be lifted up" (BBE)
"in an appropriate season" (Wuest)

At the proper time (2540) (kairos) (Click here or here for in depth discussion of kairos) means a point of time or period of time, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something and without emphasis on precise chronology. It means a moment or period as especially a favorable time (at the right time).

Vincent writes that kairos

God will exalt us in His own good time.  God never exalts anyone until that person is ready for it. First the cross, then the crown; first the suffering, then the glory. Moses was under God’s hand for 40 yrs before God sent him to deliver the Jews from Egypt. Joseph was under God’s hand for at least 13 yrs before God lifted him to the throne.

This verse should encourage you that the trial does have an end and that the suffering saint will not forever be left in a low and depressed state. Also be encouraged that God will exalt you in the best time, for His timing is perfect. Paul says in Romans (speaking of God's timing in saving us) that

"while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6 note)

If He can save us the "first" time at the right time, much more He is able to save us at the right time after salvation.

In Faith's Checkbook, Spurgeon wrote the following devotional entitled "Bow Down to Be Lifted Up" on 1 Peter 5:6...

This is tantamount to a promise: if we will bow down, the Lord will lift us up. Humility leads to honor; submission is the way to exaltation. That same hand of God which presses us down is waiting to raise us up when we are prepared to bear the blessing. We stoop to conquer. Many cringe before men, and yet miss the patronage they crave. But he that humbles himself under the hand of God shall not fail to be enriched, uplifted, sustained, and comforted by the ever-gracious One. It is a habit of Jehovah to cast down the proud and lift up the lowly.

Related Resources: Anxious? Worried? See Jesus' discussion on Worry/Anxiety in the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 6:25-26, Matthew 6:27-29, Matthew 6:30-32, Matthew 6:33-34

For a small booklet click What Can I Do With My Worry? (see also When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage and Hope)

Click here for 26 Illustrative Stories on "Fear" from Our Daily Bread

Casting...upon (1977) (epirrhipto from epí = upon + rhípto = cast) means to throw or cast upon. To throw something upon something else, e.g., throw clothes on an animal for riding (Lu 19:35, the only other NT use)

Note that the verb "Casting...upon" is a participle (ends in "-ing") making it dependent upon verse six and therefore becoming one of the means by which we humble ourselves. What could inhibit us from doing this? Pride can keep you from being willing to humble yourself in this way. You say "I'll do it my way." But God's care comes when we humble ourselves and trust in and depend upon His grace. And we are humble when we depend on God's grace to live the Christian life. Peter earlier said to

"let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator" (1Peter 4:19)

"Casting...upon" is in the aorist tense which Vincent says denotes "an act once for all; throwing the whole life with its care on Him." We must once and for all give all of our cares—past, present, and future—to the Lord. The literal picture is seen in Luke 19:35 where

"They brought (the colt) to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and put Jesus on it."

They did not throw pieces of their coat on the colt but the "all" of the coat.

How did Paul say to "cast your cares upon God"? In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul exhorted them to

"Worry about nothing; pray about everything."

That is, take it to the Lord in prayer, and leave it there! Don’t pick it up again.

Similarly believers are to cast "all" (the whole in its entirety) of their care upon Him. The emphasis is not on casting each individual anxiety, but on casting the whole of one's life upon the Lord. Stated another way, Peter does not say to be "casting the big burdens and keeping the little ones!" We all need to come to the place where we realize that God is all sufficient for all problems that may come into our lives. No heartache, difficulty or problem is too difficult for the plan of God. No sin is too great for the plan of God. Beloved, our heavenly Father is willing and able to carry our heaviest (and lightest) burdens but before we can experience God's sufficiency, we need to acknowledge our insufficiency to live the Christian life. Is there some anxiety you carrying just now, dear child of God? What is your heartache? What grief do you bear today? What disappointment? What hurt feeling? Whatever the burden, go to His throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace by casting it upon Him, for He does not want you to carry that burden.

Peter is probably quoting from the psalm which

Cast your burden (releasing the weight of it) upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (made to slip, fall or fail). (Ps 55:22)

Spurgeon comments: Thy burden, or what thy God lays upon thee, lay thou it upon the Lord. His wisdom casts it on thee, it is thy wisdom to cast it on Him. He cast thy lot for thee, cast thy lot on Him. He gives thee thy portion of suffering, accept it with cheerful resignation, and then take it back to Him by thine assured confidence.

He shall sustain thee. Thy bread shall be given thee, thy waters shall be sure. Abundant nourishment shall fit thee to bear all thy labors and trials. As thy days so shall thy strength be.

He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. He may move like the boughs of a tree in the tempest, but He shall never be moved like a tree torn up by the roots. He stands firm who stands in God. Many would destroy the saints, but God has not suffered it, and never will. Like pillars, the godly stand immoveable, to the glory of the Great Architect

Anxiety:(3308) (merimna  from merizo = to divide or draw different directions - which is exactly what anxiety does to most of us!) refers to a care (the sole way it is translated in the KJV) or concern and so to care for someone or something. It is often used in a negative sense and thus is translated as "worry". From the origin, one can see that merimna describes the state of "being pulled apart.” Thus when circumstances are difficult, it is easy to let oneself be dominated by anxiety and worry.

Merimna is used 6 times in the NT (Matt. 13:22; Mk. 4:19; Lk. 8:14; 21:34; 2Co. 11:28; 1 Pet. 5:7) and is translated KJV (6) - care, 6 and NAS (6) - anxiety, 1; concern, 1; worries, 3; worry, 1 There are 5 uses in the Septuagint - Esther 1:1; Job 11:18; Ps. 55:22; Prov. 17:12; Da. 11:26

George Morrison said,

God does not make His children carefree (Ed note: freedom from anxiety producing situations) in order that they be careless.

Richards has an excellent summary of merimnao (see word study) and merimna noting that...

When used by the Greeks concerning the future...both came to connote anxious expectation. When used of the present, the words expressed an aching sense of grief. The meaning of any term, however, is defined by the way it is used. It is the way that Jesus and the writers of the Gospels and Epistles, guided by the Holy Spirit, used words that filled them with their biblical meaning...But while it is legitimate to have concerns that we will at times experience as demanding pressures, there is a limit to their legitimacy. The "worries of this life" may so dominate our attention that they make God's Word unfruitful in our lives (Mt 13:22; Mark 4:19). The pressures of legitimate concerns can cause us to so focus on worldly matters that we forget to relate our needs and our worries to the Lord...By linking legitimate concerns to God, believers are freed from anxiety and worry. This freedom allows us to concentrate on seeking God's kingdom and his righteousness, knowing that "all these things will be given to [us] as well." So Jesus concludes, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."

What the pagan Greeks experienced as anxious concern over a tomorrow they could not control, the believer who knows God as a loving Father can experience in calm confidence. Released from fears about tomorrow, we can concentrate on doing God's will today, as obedient subjects of a kingdom over which the Almighty rules.

The Gospels recognize the tendency of legitimate human concerns to lead to a loss of perspective; we can forget God and adopt a pagan materialism that looks ahead anxiously and concentrates on running after the material things that seem to offer security. In order to avoid this tendency, believers must orient life to God and realize that life's meaning is to be found in living as subjects who are responsive to their loving, wise, and powerful King.

Both anxiety and worry spring from natural and legitimate concerns that are part of life in this world. But legitimate concerns are handled wrongly when they do one or more of the following: (1) become dominating concerns in our life and lead to fear, (2) destroy our perspective on life and cause us to forget that God exists and cares, or (3) move us to drift into an attitude of constant worry and concern over a future that we cannot control.

Jesus deals with anxiety by calling us to an awareness of God. God does exist, and he cares. He is aware of our needs and is committed to meet our needs. Remaining aware of God frees us from the tyranny of things. It enables us to focus our lives on our relationship with God and go on living a righteous and productive life.

The Epistles add to our understanding by pointing out that areas of legitimate anxiety exist even for the strongest of believers. But the pressures of even legitimate concerns are not to dominate us or to make us habitually anxious, worried people. We escape by using anxiety creatively. This means that we must recognize the feelings of pressure and concern as a call to prayer. We should immediately turn to God to lay our needs and the needs of others before him. We then turn back to live our lives encompassed by his peace. Anxiety, rather than drawing us away from God, draws us to Him and thus fulfills His purpose for it in our lives.(Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) (Bolding added)

Louw & Nida comment that merimna describes

"a feeling of apprehension or distress in view of possible danger or misfortune. The term merimna may refer to either unnecessary worry or legitimate concern. The equivalent of ‘worry’ may be expressed in some languages in an idiomatic manner, for example, ‘to be killed by one’s mind’ or ‘to be pained by thinking.’ (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains Vol. 1, Page 312. New York: United Bible Societies)

Barclay observes that in a secular Greek writing (a papyrus letter)...

a wife writes to her absent husband:

“I cannot sleep at night or by day, because of the worry (merimna) I have about your welfare.”

A mother, on hearing of her son’s good health and prosperity writes back:

“That is all my prayer and all my anxiety (merimna).”

Anacreon, the poet, writes:

“When I drink wine, my worries (merimna) go to sleep.”

In Greek the word is the characteristic word for anxiety, and worry, and care. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press or Logos)

Vine gives a very illustrative definition of "merimna" (Click in depth study on related verb merimnao): stating that

merimna (3308) is probably connected with merizo, (3307) “to draw in different directions, distract,” hence signifies “that which causes this [that is, this effect of being drawn in different directions], a care, especially an anxious care”. To worry is in essence to have a "divided mind" (See RBC booklet What Can I Do With My Worry?). 

Strong's Lexicon also states that merimna is from "merizo, (3307) through the idea of distraction." So clearly that which worries or causes anxiety is that which distracts us and tends to draw us in different directions (compare our common expression "I feel like everything is falling apart").

Meyer writes that...

The word anxiety comes from the same root as anger, and suggests the idea of choking. Worry chokes the life of faith. It does not help us to overcome our difficulties, but unfits us for dealing with them. No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper; every tongue that shall rise against us shall be condemned; our bread shall be given, and our water sure. God will perfect that which concerneth us, and His goodness and mercy shall never cease. Roll thyself and thy burden on the Lord, and leave them there. Too many take them back again! (F B Meyer. Our Daily Walk)

The picture even becomes more vivid when we look at a summary of English dictionary definitions of each word...

Are you worried about your tendency to worry? Let me encourage you to turn your attention to God, especially to an unhurried devotional study of His character revealed in His names or more specifically in His attributes (See "The Attributes of God"). You will be amazed at how the Spirit will renew our mind when we shift our focus off of the perplexity of the problems and onto the perfection of the Problem Solver, and once again appreciate that He is everywhere, knows everything, is all powerful, and is able and willing to carry our burdens (Ps 55:22, Heb 2:18-note).

Elisha Hoffman the writer of the hymn I MUST TELL JESUS tells the story that preceded his penning of the words...

There was a woman to whom God had permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, I found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, “Brother Hoffman, what shall I do?” I quoted from the word, then added, “You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus.”

For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus.” As I left her home I had a vision of that joy-illuminated face…and I heard all along my pathway the echo, “I must tell Jesus. I must tell Jesus.”

I MUST TELL JESUS

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Refrain

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;
One Who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
Refrain

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.
Refrain

Elisha's Hoffman's story and hymn beg the question...

Have you told Jesus?

Spurgeon offers this interesting perspective to those who are hesitant to cast their cares on Him writing that...

There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to make show of Him and not to use Him. He loves to be worked. He is a great laborer. He always was for His Father, and now He loves to be a great laborer for His brethren. The more burdens you put on His shoulders, the better He will love you. Cast your burden on Him.

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Our Daily Bread has the following devotional on "worry"...

Worry is merely unbelief parading in disguise! The Scriptures repeatedly warn us against this grievous sin. Ian Maclaren ex-claims, "What does your anxiety do? It does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but it does empty today of its strength. It does not make you escape the evil; it makes you unfit to cope with it when it comes. God gives us the power to bear all the sorrow of His making, but He does not guarantee to give us strength to bear the burdens of our own making such as worry induces."

An experienced physician decided to analyze the "worriers" who were his patients. He found that 40 percent of them were apprehensive over things that never happened. About 30 per-cent concerned themselves with past matters now beyond their control. Another 12 percent anxiously feared the loss of their health, although their only illness was in their imagination. And the rest worried about their families, friends, and neighbors, but in most cases he discovered no basis for their fears.

A bassoon player once came to the great conductor Toscanini with furrowed brow and complained that his instrument would not sound the high E flat. Toscanini smiled and replied, "Don't worry. There is no E flat in your music tonight." The musician had been needlessly apprehensive. Many of our worries are like that — unfounded and unnecessary.

Worry is both unprofitable and ungodly. God's grace will be sufficient for each day's need. Take comfort in this thought, and tread the pathway of life with faith, not fear! (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

I walked life's path with "Worry,"
Disturbed and quite unblessed,
Until I trusted Jesus;
Now "Faith" has given rest. — G.W.

Satan seeks to crush our spirit by getting us to bear tomorrow's burdens with only today's grace! 

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D. L. Moody once quipped that...

A great many people seem to embalm their troubles. I always feel like running away when I see them coming. They bring out their old mummy, and tell you in a sad voice:

You don't know the troubles I have!

My friends, if you go to the Lord with your troubles, He will take them away. Would you not rather be with the Lord and get rid of your troubles, than be with your troubles and without God? Let trouble come if it will drive us nearer to God.

It is a great thing to have a place of resort in the time of trouble. How people get on without the God of the Bible is a mystery to me. If I didn't have such a refuge, a place to go and pour out my heart to God in such times, I don't know what I would do. It seems as if I would go out of my mind. But to think, when the heart is burdened, we can go and pour it into His ear, and then have the answer come back, "I will be with him," there is comfort in that!

I thank God for the old Book. I thank God for this old promise. It is as sweet and fresh today as it has ever been. Thank God, none of those promises are out of date, or grown stale. They are as fresh and vigorous and young and sweet as ever.

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Take courage: if God doesn't choose to remove an obstacle, He will help you plow around it!

Even though you can't control your circumstances, you can control your attitude.

The perfect cure for worry is trust in God.

Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all others thoughts are drained