HOUSE TOP GOSPEL

Why God Reveals Himself To The Humble And Hides From The Proud

• Michael Gomez

Share episode

A single line of prophecy meets a world desperate for hope: unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. We take that promise seriously and follow it from Isaiah’s vision to a starlit field where shepherds trembled, to a manger where majesty wore rags, and to the deeper question of why God reveals Himself to the humble while seeming hidden from the proud. The answer, layered through Scripture and experience, is a mercy that protects, invites, and transforms.

We walk through the long history of divine generosity—creation’s resources, moral law, wisdom, healing, and learning—then land on the ultimate gift announced not to kings but to keepers of sheep. Along the way we wrestle with free will, the costs of pride, and the surprising tenderness of a God who chooses smallness to reach weary hearts. The nativity is stripped of sentiment to reveal its stark beauty: no room at the inn, a feeding trough for a cradle, and heaven’s chorus splitting the night. That scene becomes a mirror for our hearts. Will we crowd out the gift or welcome it with open hands?

From the angel’s good news of great joy to the promise of rest for souls, we point to a Savior who came not to condemn but to save. Salvation is a gift, not a trophy, washing scarlet stains, reconciling us to the Father, and offering an inheritance that does not fade. If you’ve ever wondered where God is, the answer may be closer than your next breath. Press play, reflect on the Giver behind every good thing, and let hope find you again.

If this conversation stirred something in you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find it too.

Send a text to House Top Gospel

SPEAKER_00:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah nine, verse six. Have you ever received a gift so wonderful that you were more impressed by the giver than by the gift itself? A gift so special that you will cherish it and find it useful throughout your entire life to the end. If you were to receive such a gift, what would you think about the giver of that gift? When I was young and received a good gift, I remember saying, How did she know this is what I've always wanted? Or how did he know this is just what I've always needed? Or let's say you don't even know each other that well. A gift from a secret admirer, perhaps. Nonetheless, there it is, a gift from someone you hardly know, yet you'll cherish for the rest of your life. When we really think about it, this passage, Isaiah 9 6, it's not only about the gift, but it's also about the giver of the gift. After all, what's greater to receive a great gift from someone or the giver of the greatest gift of all? Let's listen to these words from the prophet Isaiah. For unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given. A gift toward your mortal existence. Who can give such a gift? Only God, right? Only God can give a gift intended to last throughout eternity. After all, I believe eternity beats within every human being. Wouldn't that be a wonderful gift? The Bible says that we were made in God's image, therefore eternity beats within you. And so perhaps this gift from God is intended to help us to get to know each other better. But that's just how God works, with everlasting intentions. Everything that has life is a gift from God and should live forever. Everything that God touches should live forever and never die. Everything He creates is made with timeless care and wisdom. That's what the Psalmist refers to when he speaks of God's attributes, his holiness, his eternality, his omnipotence, his precepts, not to mention his benefits and gifts, etc. Our God is the everlasting God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has always given since the beginning of time, even to the wicked, he causes the rain to fall and the sun to shine. Since the very beginning of time, God has graciously provided with everything we need to live on this earth. Food and water, think of it, the produce. How about the oil and minerals, precious metals and stones, all from the earth's abundant resources? God and his divine providence has bestowed upon us eminent individuals across the ages through his prophets to lead his people as a luminous beacon in darkness, a guiding light for the blind and an instructor for the inexperienced. Moreover, his law serves as a moral compass for the nations, all gifts from God. Christian hospitals were among the very first of the early medical hospitals in the world. The first schools and universities were all Christian founded for the reading and writing and learning of the scriptures. Once upon a time the United States government was founded by God fearing men, Christian men with Christian principles, and of course the grace of God. My point is that God has always been there to provide and has been giving gifts from the very beginning. But now in these last days, He has given to the world the ultimate gift. For unto us a child is born, for unto us a son is given. Isaiah nine six. This prophecy from the prophet Isaiah was written approximately seven hundred and forty years before Christ was born. And as we fast forward seven hundred and forty years into the future, we see this prophecy unfold right before our very eyes. Under a starry night, the angel of the Lord announces God's gift to the world. However, it wasn't showcased to the world in the most grand and spectacular manner, but to the least lightly in the world, to the humble and to the meek. And why not to the world? In the most grand and extravagant way, and to all its kingdoms. Why not to the king or to the governor? Why not to the teachers of the law of Jesus day and to the scribes and to the elders? Let me share a little secret with you. It may sound strange to you, but there it is. Are you ready? God hides his majesty from the proud, but he reveals himself to the meek and to the simple. God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. That's in James chapter four six. Let's observe from Luke's perspective in Luke chapter two. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, and behold, the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom God is pleased. That's Luke chapter two. It's important to observe two notable points. A Savior is born, number one, and with whom God is pleased, number two. A Savior is someone who saves someone or something from danger, right? With whom he is pleased, we see with a little bit of research it will become evident that the individuals whom God is pleased with are characterized by humility, the poor and the meek. For example, recall with me when Jesus said, Think not that I have come for the righteous. I have not come for the righteous, but for the sinners unto repentance. Those who are well need not a physician, but those who are sick. And furthermore, he says I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Another beautiful example of God's gifts to those he favors is found in Christ's loving and compassionate invitation to his kingdom found in Matthew's gospel. At that time Jesus said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden that's a key word there, that you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for this was well pleasing in your sight. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and to anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Jesus continues, Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, 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. That's in Matthew chapter eleven, verse twenty five to thirty. Through the eyes of Jesus as he trod through the dusty roads of this earth, he has deemed it praiseworthy of the Father to hide these things from the wise, the prudent, the intelligent of this world. God has chosen to reveal Himself to babes, for this was pleasing in His sight, to give His gifts to children and to babes, gifts of grace, of love and mercy, the promise of eternal life, and to an inheritance, Peter says, undefiled, incorruptible that will never fade away, preserved in heaven, where your name is written in the eternal Lamb's Book of Life through Jesus Christ, God's only Son. This tells us something of God's character, because we are so mindless of such a gift consisting of eternal verities, truths, principles of fundamental importance. David says in Psalms one hundred thirty nine, such knowledge is too lofty, too high for me to attain. And we are so unworthy, so undeserving. But deserving has nothing to do with it. This is all the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. I'll let you in on a little secret. The Lord has his eye on the sparrow, yes, on the mustard seed, on the weary, on the heavy laden, on the poor, on the meek, on the humble, the captive, the downtrodden, on the lonely and the sick, not on the rich and powerful, intelligent and beautiful. Have you ever wondered? Have you ever noticed why does it seem that God hides Himself from the world? The rich and the powerful, the wise and the prudent, the intelligent people of this world. But he really doesn't, you know. The Lord is never far. He is as close to anyone as the words are on your lips. But have you ever wondered why God chooses to reveal Himself more to the humble? I'll tell you why. Are you ready? It's a particular demonstration of His profound mercy. It is for their protection. God even protects the wicked from their own choice and neglect of responsibility the way of perdition. Yes, it is because of free choice. No one will be separated from God for all eternity outside of their own will. Bear with me. Let me try to demonstrate. Consider on the night Jesus' birth, at first glance, what do you see? Consider this carefully. Reflect diligently with your mind's eye. I mean, before all the Christmas cards and the Christmas carols, before all the beautiful paintings of nativity scenes with glitter and shooting stars and glowing faces and angels' wings, you know what I mean. What does the scripture say? It's not about perspective, it's simply the truth. A child wrapped in swaddling clothes, literally rags, lying in a manger, literally an animal trough, born among the animals in a stable. Jesus shared his space with the animals, taking shelter. His bedding was straw. He was exposed to the elements. He was born outside. Why? Well the Bible says because there was no room in the inn. Think of it. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is about to give birth, but receives help from no one. She is turned away at every door from every corner. She receives help from no one. A young woman in labor and in such a delicate condition, you would think people would stop whatever they're doing and open their doors to help her. But this young woman, this poor young woman, received no such kindness from men, men of the world. The night God's greatest gift was born. God helped them. Of course, they didn't know what they were doing or weren't doing. They couldn't see God's gift to the world. But how about you? Do you see God's gift to the world? Sure you do. Of course you do. Because God loves you and has revealed himself to you. And why, perhaps? He reveals himself to the poor and to the humble and to the meeky and hides himself from the proud. Hear this. God searches the heart. He doesn't look at the outward appearances. He looks at the heart. God forbid to be among those instead of rejoicing as the poor humble shepherds and the magi, you know, the three wise men bringing gifts of gold and myrrh and frankincense, rejoicing and giving thanks to God for his unspeakable gift that the rich, the proud, and the beautiful people of the world should despise and scoff at the Father's gift. God forgive that person lest they stand in judgment, because they have despised God's greatest gift of all. The only hope for this world. Consider with me the king, King Herod, who sent out legions of his armies to destroy every male child under the age of two. Bloodthirsty men, hell bent on finding the little baby Jesus to destroy him. In many cases, as the Bible says, it would have been better that they had never been born than to despise God's greatest gift of all. It is the message of the gospel for us, you know, to reflect on, and how God's choice of humility and genuine faith are at the heart of his gospel. And these are what permit us to draw closer to him and to know him and to understand him. It is the poor, it is the humble-hearted sinners, those individuals to whom God first reveals his gift. They are the ones who gladly bring praise and glory to God with thanksgiving in their hearts for his wonderful gift to them. To whom much is forgiven, Jesus said, loves much in return. In conclusion, why not in a palace? A nice and warm palace in soft clothes and in a hand-carved cradle. Why not? You know, this was by design, you know. I'll tell you why. Because Jesus said that he came not to be served, but to serve, and to seek and to save those who are lost. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Because God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3 16 ESV. Jesus did not come to judge, he came to save and to offer eternal life to everyone. Salvation is a gift from God and not of ourselves. It is a gift from God to all who believe. Though your sins be red as scarlet, the prophet said, they shall be whiter than snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. You are washed, cleansed, redeemed, reconciled, justified, and glorified adopted children of God, all through his wonderful gift, all bundled up in that tiny little babe. God's wonderful gift to the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only Son. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Head Shot

Mike Gomez

Producer