“For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, ​​He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches. They will be left together for the mountain birds of prey and for the beasts of the earth; The birds of prey will summer on them, and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them. ​​In that time a present will be brought to the LORD of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin [Cush/Ethiopia], and from a people fearsome from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide— To the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, to Mount Zion.” vs5-7

When God cuts us down, then we bring Him gifts. When He humbles us, then our offering is sanctified by the Holy Spirit [Rom 15:16]. When we know His mercy, then we become living sacrifices! This is the way of salvation, and the godly esteem it highly. We know the sound of redemption and the forgiveness of sins. We know humbling and exaltation.

When we stop serving ourselves, then we know the sweet peace of humility and glorifying God, because He has said that no flesh will glory in His presence. “That, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord [1 Cor 1:31].’” When we love others, instead of using their backs to walk on, then we know the joy of lifting them up. Paul says,

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness [meekness.] Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” --Gal 6:1-2

We love others because we know what it’s like to be trounced upon by sin. We know the feeling of being CUT DOWN, because God has humbled us rightly. We have taken the high seat, only to go down with shame... and then we’ve been exalted, when we are nothing and know it. “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted [Luke 18:11].” We know the freedom and sweetness of exalting Christ in the assistance of the Holy Spirit, as He brings words to our mouth in sincerity of heart. Therefore, lift up the fallen by pointing them to Christ. Tell them to fear God. Tell them that He’ll be there for them in obedience, and it doesn’t matter what the world says, so long as they have Christ. Tell them that they can’t prosper without Him, and call on them to surrender to the word of His grace [Acts 20:32]!

This is the joyfulness of serving Christ, because He’s with us in the good and rewards us lavishly. This is what it is like to be humbled, and then to bring God a gift: Our worship is accepted [Rom 12:1]. Our preaching is spiritual and useful.