June 12

Scripture Focus:

“What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?”
The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”
—1 Kings 12:6–7 (NLT)

From all the tribes of Israel, those who sincerely wanted to worship the Lord… followed the Levites to Jerusalem… This strengthened the kingdom of Judah…
—2 Chronicles 11:16–17 (NLT)

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves… You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
—Philippians 2:3–5 (NLT)

Devotion: The Strength of a Servant
Rehoboam had a chance to unify the kingdom and walk in the strength of the Lord. The people came with a simple plea for compassion, and the elders—full of wisdom—gave him godly counsel: “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today…” (1 Kings 12:7). The word for “servant” here is the Hebrew ʿābad (עָבַד)—a word that means more than just helping. It means to humbly yield, to serve in loyalty and love, even as an act of worship.
But Rehoboam didn’t want to be a servant. He wanted to be king—his way. He rejected the advice of the elders, choosing instead the counsel of peers who fed his pride. He responded with arrogance, saying he would rule with even more severity than his father. His heart revealed the truth: he desired the position and the power, but not the posture required to lead God’s people.
In contrast, Philippians 2 gives us the perfect example of leadership through Jesus. Though He is King of all, He took on the form of a servant—doulos (δοῦλος) in Greek—a bondservant who lays down his rights out of love and obedience. Jesus didn’t come to dominate, but to serve. He led by humbling Himself, and His humility lifted others.
So many today want the blessings of God’s kingdom—peace, favor, influence—but not the ways of God’s kingdom—humility, servanthood, obedience. But in God’s Kingdom, power looks very different. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
Even though the kingdom was torn in two, we see God’s mercy in 2 Chronicles 11. For three years, the people of Judah followed the Lord, and as they sincerely worshiped, the kingdom was strengthened. That’s what happens when people walk in God's ways. But when they turned away, the strength faded.
Rehoboam's failure reminds us how easy it is to follow our own prideful hearts. Many of us don’t want to be servants either. We want to be in charge. We want to lead without cost. But true greatness in God’s eyes always starts with humility.

Lesson for Me
True leadership in God’s Kingdom begins with surrender. I can’t cling to control and still expect the blessings that come through obedience. If I want to reflect Jesus, I must let go of pride and choose to serve.

Application Questions
Do I resist the idea of being a servant—especially when it means denying my own comfort or control?

1. What kind of counsel do I listen to more: wise, godly voices or ones that feed my pride?
2. In what ways is God calling me to take on the posture of a servant today—at home, in ministry, or in relationships?
3. 
   

Prayer
Lord, thank You for being the Servant King who gave everything to save and lead us. Help me to walk in Your footsteps. Teach me to value humility over pride, and serving over striving. Let my heart reflect Yours. Where I’ve sought influence without obedience, forgive me. I want to live surrendered, not just in word but in action. Make me strong by Your Spirit—and gentle like Christ. Amen.

June 12, 2026

Today’s Reading: Philippians Chapter 2

Scripture Focus

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Reflection

Paul isn’t asking these questions because he doubts the answers. He’s asking them to make the Philippians stop and think about what they already have in Christ.
In simple terms, Paul is saying:

“Since you have received encouragement from Christ, comfort from His love, fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and compassion from God, then your lives should reflect those blessings.”
The questions are really a way of reminding them of God’s goodness before he gives them an instruction.
It’s almost like a parent saying: “Have I loved you? Have I cared for you? Have I provided for you?”
“Then this is how I want you to live.”
Paul is helping them remember what Christ has done for them so their obedience flows from gratitude rather than obligation.
Then he gives the main point—the topic sentence of the chapter:
“Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2)
Everything that follows explains what that kind of unity looks like:

• Don’t be selfish.
• Don’t try to impress others.
• Be humble.
• Put others before yourself.
• Look out for the interests of others.
• Have the attitude of Christ.

And then, just as Paul often does, he doesn’t simply give instructions—he points us to the perfect example.
Paul’s argument is simple:  Because Christ has loved you, comforted you, and brought you into fellowship with God, live in unity with one another. And if you want to know what that looks like, look to Jesus.

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬
To me, Philippians 2 is one of the most breathtaking chapters in all of Scripture because Paul isn’t simply telling us that Jesus died for us. He is showing us how far Jesus willingly descended to save us.
Think about the progression:

• He was God.
• He shared the glory of God.
• He possessed all the rights and privileges of God.
• Yet He did not cling to those privileges.
• He became a man.
• Not a king in a palace, but a servant.
• Not a celebrated hero, but a rejected criminal.
• Not merely suffering, but dying on a cross.

The distance from heaven to earth is immeasurable, yet Christ crossed it willingly because of His love.  When I read this passage, I can’t help but ask: What other god has ever done this for his creation?  
The religions of the world generally teach people how to reach up to God. The gospel teaches that God reached down to us.  Christianity is unique because it proclaims that God Himself entered His creation.  The One who spoke the stars into existence became a baby.  The One who holds the universe together became tired, hungry, and thirsty.  The One who deserved worship allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and crucified.  The Creator died for His creatures.  No wonder Paul points to Jesus as the supreme example of humility. Nobody has ever humbled themselves more than Christ.

This is why Paul says:

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before he tells us to be humble, he shows us what humility looks like.  The cure for selfishness is not trying harder to be humble. The cure is looking at Jesus until His humility captures our hearts. ❤️  But Paul doesn’t stop with Christ’s example. He moves from inspiration to application.

“Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life…”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

After presenting Christ as the perfect example, Paul gives practical instructions. He tells believers to obey God wholeheartedly, work out their salvation with reverence and awe, stop complaining and arguing, and live in such a way that they shine like lights in a dark world.
Their transformed lives should be visible evidence of the salvation God has worked within them.  I love that phrase: “show the results of your salvation.”  The salvation that’s in our hearts and minds should produce results that people can see.  Paul is teaching that genuine faith is not invisible. When Christ changes us on the inside, it affects our attitudes, our words, our relationships, and our obedience. The world should be able to see the light of Christ shining through us.  This is not how we earn salvation. It is the evidence that God is already at work within us.

Philippians 2:13 says it perfectly:
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

What people see on the outside is the result of what God is doing on the inside.  Then Paul closes the chapter by giving two living examples of what this Christlike humility looks like in everyday life.  Timothy genuinely cared about the spiritual well-being of others rather than his own interests. His life reflected the selflessness Paul had been encouraging throughout the chapter.  Epaphroditus demonstrated sacrificial service and was willing to risk his life for the work of Christ. Rather than seeking comfort or recognition, he faithfully served both the church and Paul, even becoming seriously ill in the process.  Paul tells the Philippians to honor men like him because their lives displayed the character of Christ.  What stands out to me is that Paul doesn’t just tell believers what to do—he shows them what it looks like.

First, he points them to Jesus, the perfect example.  Then he points them to Timothy and Epaphroditus, ordinary believers who were putting those truths into practice.  It’s as if Paul is saying, “This kind of humility isn’t just a beautiful idea. It can be lived out in real life.”  
That is why Philippians 2 flows so beautifully:

The blessings of Christ → The call to humility → The example of Christ → The practice of obedience → Real-life examples to follow.

The whole chapter is a picture of what salvation looks like when it is worked out in everyday life.

Christ changes the heart, and a changed heart produces humility, obedience, service, unity, and love that others can see.  One of the greatest goals of teaching God’s Word is that people would walk away loving Jesus more. I think that is exactly what Philippians 2 accomplishes. It takes our eyes off ourselves and fixes them on Christ.

The more we look at Jesus, the more we become like Him.