6 T humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

1Pt 1:5 kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time 5:10 God of all grace,  called us to His eternal glory 
Micah 6:8  He has shown you good & what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, to love hesed, and to walk humbly with your God? 

I. We Care about the Temporal (Power-security/significance; Pleasure-comfort; and Possessions) missing out on the Eternal

Mt 6:24 No one can serve two masters 25 Therefore do not worry about your life, eat/drink/wear;  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds/lilies...your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Lk 12:25-26 least) 30  "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31  "Therefore do not worry, saying... `32  "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble 

Mk 4:19 Hear word...cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches,  the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Lk 8:14  when they have heard, go out are choked with cares (divided), riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity
Lk 21:34  take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with ...cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

II. God Cares about our: the above plusRelationships, Peace, Purpose, Holiness, Service, Glory, Afflictions, Betrayal, Injustices

Mr 4:38 don't you care that we perish?  Lk 10:4 don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 1Co 9:9 Is it oxen  Jn 10 Shepherd
Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, w/ thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God 7 and the peace of God,... will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.9...and the  God of peace will be with you 
Isa 57:15  For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite/crushed and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

III. We Humble ourselves by keeping our hands off the things placed in His hands and He Exalts us

Acknowledging Lordship and Expressing our daily (and momentary) dependence and obedience (His will-not ours) 1Thess 5:16-19

Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 9 Honor with your increase...
Ex 10:3 How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? 2Kg 22:18-19 tender-hearted  swift repentance 2Ch 32:26  pride of his heart 
2Ch 10:8 do not be stiff-necked, but yield yourselves to the LORD; that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. 9  but they laughed at them and mocked them.11 Nevertheless some humbled themselves .gave hem singleness of heart to obey the command..word

Mt 18:4 (cx disciple's positional thinking)  whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 23:12  (cx Pharisaical thinking) whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.  Lu 14:11 
Lk 14:11 (cx self assertion) For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.. “come higher”

Php 2:8  He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 4:12 abased/abound.
Ps 119:165 Great peace have those who love (and therefore learn and live/obey) Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. 
Js 4:6 He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (Pr 3:34) 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren 

Ps 55:16 But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.  17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. 18 He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. 19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them. Selah Men who never change their ways and have no fear of God. 20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. 21 His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart;  22 Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. 23 But you, O God, will bring down the wicked...But as for me, I trust in you.

Ps 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass 27:14 Wait on the LORD; courage, strengthen Ps 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help … Ps 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Ps 139 23 Search/try me, O God, and know my heart/anxieties; 24 and see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. 

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How have you humbled yourself under God's hand this week? How have you cast your cares upon Him? How has He cared for you?
2. How does humbling yourself under God's hand relate to our faith? Where do you get faith to start? How does humility deepen faith?
3. How do we see God's hand in our lives?  What is He doing in your life? Is exaltation immediate, short-term, long -term, “of the age”?
4. What are the negative consequences of anxiety?  Can you have faith and be anxious> Can someone be permanently free from anxiety?
5. How will you obey the command to submissively humble yourself under God's hand each day this week? What results can you expect?