Good Morning All,
Are you exalted? Do you know what exalted precisely means, or do you have a fuzzy, but unsure understanding of it? Let’s examine what it means:
“Exalt” is the root word (from the Webster 1828 Dictionary):
1. To raise high; to elevate.
2. To elevate in power, wealth, rank or dignity; as, to exalt one to a throne, to the chief magistracy, to a bishopric.
3. To elevate with joy or confidence; as, to be exalted with success or victory. [We now use elate.]
What about the word “due?” What does it mean? Let’s examine:
1. Owed; that ought to be paid or done to another. That is due from me to another which contract, justice or propriety requires me to pay, and which he may justly claim as his right. Reverence is due to the creator; civility is due from one man to another. Money is due at the expiration of the credit given, or at the period promised.
2. Proper; fit; appropriate; suitable; becoming; required by the circumstances; as, the event was celebrated with due solemnities. Men seldom have a due sense of their depravity.
3. Seasonable; as, he will come in due time.
4. Exact; proper; as, the musicians keep due time.
5. Owing to; occasioned by. [Little used.]
Now, that we have an understanding of the words “exalt” and “due,” let’s examine what God has to say about you being exalted.
I Peter 5:6-8
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which is Jesus in us, tells us to humble ourselves. Humble to God means to “have complete trust in Him.” It’s that simple. Complete trust in Him is what we know as “faith.” When you have complete faith in God and His Word, He will exalt you in due time. Looking at the definitions above, the Holy Spirit is telling us that when we humble ourselves before God, He will elevate us in all areas of our lives, and this is owed to us. Why is it owed to us? Because God has made a contract [covenant] with us, through Jesus Christ and Abraham, the Promise (Genesis 12:2-3; Galatians 3:29). Contracts or covenants are a two-way legal document. Both parties have a responsibility to uphold in order for the other party to carry out its legal requirement. The Believer’s responsibility is to “BELIEVE.” God’s responsibility is to exalt us in due time.
Verse 7 tells us to cast all our care upon Him. Notice the colon at the end of verse six. This means what follows is part of what was previously written, a more detailed explanation. Only when you completely trust in God, believe, have complete faith, will you cast your cares upon Him. So, our Father is saying if you in complete faith, cast ALL your cares upon Him, completely trust in Him, He will exalt you in due time.
Lastly, verse 8 is very important. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is warning you that your adversary, the devil, is going to attack you when you put complete trust in the Father. Yes, because the devil knows when you get to the point you put complete trust in the Father, you become VERY POWERFUL – more powerful than Christ was when He walked this earth (John 14:12). And, you can read the Gospels to see what Christ did to the devil’s kingdom.
Also, note this. Verse 8 says, “seeking whom he MAY devour:”. The devil has NO right to you. Unfortunately, much of the church has attributed greater powers and authority to the devil than he actually possesses. Gents, the devil was completely made toothless at the cross and resurrection. He can only do to you that which you allow. Yes, you allow. He has no legal authority to you. That’s why the Holy Spirit states, “MAY.” If you are not living in faith, then you open yourself to the devil and give him permission to attack you and all that is yours.
So, let’s choose to live in an exalted position under the hand of our mighty Father.
Blessings to all. Looking forward to seeing many of you this Thursday.
Larry