Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
The Karate Kid is a movie that was released nearly 40 years ago. It told of a teenage boy, Daniel, who was tormented by bullies. He appealed to an older gentleman, Mr. Miyagi, to teach him karate. Mr. Miyagi reluctantly agreed, but his training methods frustrated Daniel because he failed to see the relevance. But he submitted to Mr. Miyagi’s teaching. And in the end, he became proficient in karate. Additionally, he also grew as a person through the experience.
This movie is an excellent example of what this verse says. But rather than humbling ourselves under a karate expert, we are to humble ourselves under God’s tutelage. To trust that his ways, as revealed in his word and through the Holy Spirit, are best. Even when we don’t understand what he is doing. Or when it seems contrary to good common sense. Or even when it is not enjoyable.
If we will do that, the promise is that he will lift us up in due time. He will not help us to win a karate tournament. But he will help us stand firm against our real enemies (Eph. 6:10-17). And he will help us to grow and mature as his children (Rom. 12:1-2). We are assured of ultimate victory when we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, living in obedience to his word and the Holy Spirit.
