God's Proper Time

I Peter 5:6 - "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,"

Peter through the Holy Spirit is very clear regarding how God exalts a person. Humility must come before the Lord can truly use us. He ordains this as the "proper time." The improper time is symptomatic of impatience, wondering when God will act on our behalf. "Why does not God give me more responsibility in ministry?" we might ask. It could very well be that we are more aware of our desire for service rather than serving the Holy One.

When the Lord came to a young Israelite girl and told her that she would be the mother of the Savior of the world, she was "troubled" by this statement (Luke 1:29). She was so unaware of herself and her "proper time" that she was the perfect candidate for God's exaltation. Pride was not a factor because self was not a consideration. We likewise must disregard self and our proper time will come in similar fashion.