HUMILITY

FOCUS WORD: HUMILITY

Verse: 1 Peter 5: 6 - “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”

Declaration: I walk in humility today; the Lord will exalt me at His perfect time.

Jesus was the most humble person who walked on earth; even though there was no one greater than Him.  Humility is a noble character we must learn to imbibe. 

Humility is God’s pathway to promotion.  He will exalt only those who are humble. He has taught us that those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled - this is the principle in the kingdom of God.  How many of you would wish to be exalted by God. Men may exalt you; but how high or how far will they be able to do it.  But when God exalts you, it will be exalted to the height of His Throne.  (John 12)
Self-exaltation delays or even blocks promotion; humility invites the hand of God to work in our lives.  We are to lay-off self-exaltation and adopt self-examination.  Is there any hint of arrogance in me, am I walking in the path of the humble?  Eg: We have two eyes with which we can see others but it is difficult to see every part of our own body.  We would need a mirror to see the rear part of our body.   We tend to find fault in the lives of others, they too, find fault with us easily.  Remember, it is those who are able to examine themselves and admit their weaknesses and failings, find growth in spiritual life.  
James 4: 10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.  
In this new year, if we humble ourselves according to the standard of God, He will be able to work in us and lift us up.

God actively resists pride. James 4: 6 - But He gives more grace.  Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  God is averse to systems that preach arrogance, all proud kings and kingdoms, everything that exhibits pride. The first one to show arrogance against God and exalted himself was Lucifer (later known as the devil, Satan, etc.).  Many of the angels too, exalted themselves and all these fell down from heaven.  King Nimrod exalted himself to build a tower rising up to heaven.  The majestic ship Titanic too, called the ship that could not be destroyed, sank on its maiden journey. 
Proverbs 16: 18 - Pride goes before destruction; a haughty spirit before a fall.  
Pride attracts resistance, humility attracts grace. Take for example, a tumbler full of water filled to the very brim.  Not a drop can be poured onto it.  We should not be like this.  A humble heart remains empty enough to be filled.  

Jesus is the supreme model of humility.  Phil. 2: 8 - And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Have the same mind as Christ, be in the same nature of God.  There is none other in the universe who went to such depths of humility.  Gentleness comes from humble obedience.   
Matthew 11: 28 - Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest.
29 -  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 - For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Here, Jesus introduces Himself as one who is gentle and humble.  

Humility brings God’s presence and guidance.  Isaiah 57: 15 - For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who i s of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.  
From the above verse, we understand that God dwells in two places - one, in the highest place(third heaven).  Secondly, He dwells in the hearts of those who are broken-hearted and gentle.
Psalm 27: 9 - Hide not Your face from me.  Turn not Your servant away in anger, Oh You who have been my help.  Cast me not off; forsake me not, Oh God of my salvation!
Those who seek the ways of God will be guided by Him.  But those who find their own ways (make their own plans) may fall into deep pits and there would be none to rescue them.  God reveals His face to humble hearts.  

Humility protects us from falling.  Proves: 22: 4 - Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches, honour and life.  Humility keeps you standing.  

Humility prepares us for greater responsibility.  God entrusts greater responsibility to those who are small in their own eyes.  God will work in us to take us to greater heights.
Luke 14: 11 - “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
God bless you all.