“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1Pe 5:6 NIV)
There is a crown of pride (#Isa 28:3), which no one should wear. But lots of people love to be recognized and to be placed on a higher platform.
God's hand sym discipline (Exodus 3:19; 6:1; Job 30:21; Psalm 32:4) and deliverance (Deuteronomy 9:26; Ezekiel 20:34). We do not have to compare ourselves with other people in the world. We are better to choose to be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt us in due time.
We do not like to be humbled. Though we should recognize that it can be wholesome.
Christ was humble -- 'Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.' He towered infinitely above everyone on earth. How then could he be sincerely humble? Because he realized that he was nothing, and God was everything. He did not (like so many) compare himself with those around him, but with God. He knew that all he ever did or was or understood was of God: the gift of God, the love of God. He had no illusions of his own innate strength or goodness or wisdom. He emptied himself -- his own natural, fleshly self -- and filled himself totally with God: or, rather, he submitted to God totally filling him, to perfectly direct every thought, word and deed. He was the perfect vessel for the Divine use. Let us try to follow him.
