Last week Lucy and I traveled to Utah to tour a couple national parks. At Arches National Park, we got on the trail early and ascended to the Delicate Arch, pictured below. It was a glorious morning, taking in the sunrise and spectacular morning sky. The unique rock formation stands 60 feet tall and more than 30 feet wide, a precarious balancing act on the side of a rock cliff. It is an exceptional display of God’s glorious creation.
Hundreds of people each day hike down to the edge of the cliff to have their pictures taken under the arch, looking like ants under a picnic table. Invariably, they raise their arms in triumph before the giant structure, perhaps in hope of feeling larger than they are before such enormity. They pose with both arms held high as if to say, “I’m great too!” What is it about the human heart that moves us to posture our largeness while in the presence of something so magnificent?
Perhaps it is just the euphoria of the experience that led each person to offer the universal sign of triumph. We do it after touchdowns, or any big win. We raise our arms high in exaltation as an expression of joy and celebration. It just seemed a little ironic to me watching something so puny exalt beneath something so grand.
In the best-case scenario, every hiker was reveling in the glory of creation then giving God thanks for His eternal power and divine nature. God anticipates such a response as humans enjoy the world He made for us. Seeing His handiwork leads us to worship; worship begins with humility. Self-exaltation makes worship impossible.
Our study in 1 Corinthians has already offered several warnings not to boast in anything except the greatness of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s be reminded that God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. So, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that in due time He will exalt you. Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!
With you on the journey,
Tom
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