"And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!" Ezekiel 17:24 (NLT)

The text I have quoted above is an allegory, a parable spoken to the Israelites through the prophet Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 17 (take time to read the entire chapter). I pick this end of the parable and set forth a lesson that is plain for everyone to see. The lesson is this, stated in the Word of God by the Apostle Peter, ‘"…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.’ 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV).

God is our creator and expects us to be submissive to Him all the days of our lives. We must acknowledge Him as our Father; in our thoughts, words, and actions/deeds, if we will abide in His love and joy. Being the creator, He reserves the right to direct our lives because He alone knows what is good for us. Humility is seen in acceptance of who God says you are, and being obedient to His word. "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). Submission comes through obedience. Obedience comes through agreeing with the word of the one you choose to submit to. Submission to God in simple terms means showing your faith in God, by obeying His Word – doing what He says.

Only sin, which comes from the evil one, and is ingrained in our hearts, will not allow us to submit to God. The scripture clearly says that the wicked person in his pride does not seek the LORD; his thoughts have no room for the Creator. The desire to be independent from God, seeking to control one’s own life is pride.

Does the Lord our God offer us a solution to the war within us, a desire to control our own lives rather than submit to God our Creator? In the following verses, the Lord helps us know the source of our learning to walk in humility with Him. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:27-30 (NIV)

1. Submission to God starts with you believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the one who bore our sins on the cross. "He Himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:24-25)
2. Submission is taught, for it is a life-time character quality that should reflect in one’s lifestyle. And who is the best teacher and example other than our Lord Jesus Christ? "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
3. Submission brings the delight of abiding in the Lord’s love and joy. Jesus said in John 15:10, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love." Devote yourself to the Word of God consistently, to learn Christ’s character, apply what you learn and surely you will be transformed into His likeness. What joy will be yours when you learn to submit to God! There is no other way to learn it other than through Christ Jesus. Let this be your ambition: to learn from Christ. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Ephesians 2:5-11)

Dear reader, I will sign off this devotion with a few verses that I ask you to read and meditate on. May the Lord, by His Spirit impress the truths of this message in your heart, as you meditate on them, so that wherever you turn you will be guided by their truths.

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely? But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (James 4:4-10).

Always know that the Lord has the power to exalt those who humble themselves and to humble the proud. Therefore, dear reader, learn to humble yourself before the Lord. Submit to Him as your Lord, Master and Saviour.