After God had judged the world through the flood, He made a new start with Noah and his family. But again, the people failed. Instead of obeying their Creator, trusting that He only wanted the best for them, they tried to reach heaven by their own efforts at the Tower of Babel. Their pride even led them so far that they wanted to make a name for themselves and control the population of the earth independently of God (see Gen. 11).

Is this not typical for our time too? People strive to maintain control themselves rather than handing it over to God. What is the situation in your life?

What was Jesus’ attitude when He lived here on earth? Among His disciples, He was the Servant who washed their feet (see Luke 22:27; John 13). He did not seek His own glory here, but sought the glory of the One who had sent Him (see John 7:18; 8:50). Instead of wanting to control everything Himself, He rendered the guidance of His life to the Spirit of God and made Himself dependent on what His Father communicated to Him. Resting in the knowledge that God holds the reins, He said to Pilate, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11).

In which areas of life do you find it hard to be humble? Have you consciously handed over the reins of your life so that your Lord can take the lead, or is there something holding you back from this? Are you prepared—trusting fully in Him—to let go even more?