dailywordofdestiny

“And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God” (2 Chronicles 33: 10-13).

What is it that most often disturbs our hearts; our peace and our joy in life? It is PRIDE seeking to be something. Throughout the Bible God provides examples of pride (i.e. Nebuchadnezzar, Naaman, Saul, etc.) and God’s decree is irreversible, “God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble” (James 4: 6). “Whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14: 11). “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20: 27).

When you think of the word humble, what do you see? I believe that our journey into salvation and the fact that the Spirit of God lives within those who know Him, will certainly bring us to our knees in submission and reverence to Almighty God. That He chooses to LIVE within me, HUMBLES me. To be ‘humble’ describes a person who is devoid of all arrogance and self-exaltation — a person who is willingly submitted to God and His will.

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 4).

I believe many of us still need to be saved from our pride and our self-will (from ourselves). I have often heard complaints of how much pride exists in the church of Christ? What is it that causes division, strife, and envying that is often found even among the most spiritual of the saints? Why is it that in a family there is bitterness and offense? What causes harsh judgments and hasty words? What causes estrangement between friends? What causes evil speaking, selfishness, and indifference to the feelings and needs of others? I believe it is the PRIDE of man (see James 4). He lifts himself up, and he claims the right to have and speak his opinions and judgments as he pleases and whenever he pleases because his opinion is ‘always the best one and is always the right one! There is great wisdom in Proverbs and it speaks clearly of this very thing. “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility (15: 33). Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty and before honor is humility (18: 12). By humility and the fear of the LORD, are riches and honor and life” (22: 4).

The nearer we get to God and the more fully we come to know Him, the more we will recognize our need for Him alone (see John 3: 30, 31). Remember Peter in his early days as a disciple? He was an eager beaver, impulsive, self-confident and yet, later on there was an obvious ‘difference’ in how and what he spoke. “Ye younger, submit yourself unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another. … Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5: 5, 6). Peter finally got it! He went through some major challenges in his life as a disciple, as we will; but he finally understood and dared to preach humility to all. Hallelujah! Humility will restore our right relationship with God. God is God and there is no other god beside Him.

Peter’s change was most evident on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 14-41). Why? Because Holy Spirit arrived on the scene at the appointed hour and He shook the place and all the one hundred and twenty faithful prayer warriors (Acts 2: 1-4)! Holy Spirit means the LIFE, DISPOSITION, TEMPER, and the INCLINATION of Jesus, brought down from heaven into our hearts. His mighty workings He will bestow as gifts to all who will receive (see 1 Corinthians 12). For the three years that Jesus walked on earth and taught His disciples were merely a preparation time. He said, in connection with the outpouring of Holy Spirit, “I will come again” (John 14: 3). This was His assurance that God’s very Spirit would indwell us and live His life in and through us.” Praise the LORD! Jesus; the humble One, the meek, the lowly, and the gentle One pored out His precious Gift; Holy Spirit, into the hearts of His disciples so that ‘pride in self’ would be expelled by the LOVE God breathes into us through His Spirit!

How can you and I possess humility? As with everything, DESIRE it and ask God to deliver us from every vestige of pride. Set aside other things and begin to actively seek God in this; persist in coming day after day, laying your heart against His heart. “Jesus, give me more of You.” He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him (Psalm 37: 4). Humility, gentleness, meekness, patience, kindness, etc. are given to you in Christ Jesus, by the power of Holy Spirit. If Christ is your life, He is around you on every side and He longs to fill you with Himself! There is nothing in heaven, earth, or hell that can keep the light of Christ from shining into the heart that is empty and open.

Take courage today and TRUST Jesus to come into your heart and take possession of it. When you have submitted everything to Him, there will be a life of blessed and daily fellowship with Him. You will feel the necessity for ever deeper quiet time with Him, for worshipping and adoring Him, and for just sinking down before Him in helplessness and humility saying with me:

“Jesus, I am nothing; You are everything. I know why I do not have the perfect life. It is most often because of my pride; but today, come and dwell in my heart, take it and place it under Your care. Lord, here I am; come in and take possession of my heart, purify it and indwell me in Your fullness. Fulfill my desire to be like You, having the same love and being in one accord with You. Let nothing that I do be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let me not look out just for myself, but that I will put the interests of others first. Amen.”