HUMILITY IS THE BELIEVER’S GREATEST ASSET!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 05, 2023.

SUBJECT : HUMILITY IS THE BELIEVER’S GREATEST ASSET!

Memory verse: "By humility and the fear of The Lord are riches, and honor, and life" (Proverbs 22 vs 4).

READ: Matthew 18 vs 4 & Luke 14 vs 7 - 11:

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

Luke 14:7: So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them; 

14:8: When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;

14:9: And he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place for this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.

14:10: But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

14:11: For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

INTIMATION:

Humility signifies lowliness of mind. It is always used in good sense in the Scripture to denote low-lying; not to think too highly of oneself; to bring low in meekness or gentleness. It is being modest, unpretentious, and having a low opinion of oneself or one's claims. Humility is a character trait dominant in all real servants of the LORD. Though gentleness , or humility, is a very elusive character trait, yet the Bible regards it as a highly important quality. God Himself is humble, and leaves on the midst of a meek and humble people (Zephaniah 3 vs 12). 

Abraham was humble and believed God, and ensured he would not offend God in any way. Any instructions given to him by God was strictly obeyed by him because of his believe in Him, and this was counted to him for righteousness. Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth (Numbers 12 vs 3). However, that was before the coming of Christ. Jesus was an epitome of humility. He was humble so much so that He was willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve people. His obedience in humility was to death, even a shameful death on the cross. 

Jesus Christ describes Himself as "gentle and low in heart" (Matthew 11 vs 29). If we say we follow Christ, we must also say we want to live as He lived. We should develop His attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. Like Christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Everyone has the right of choice. You can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others. 

The apostle Paul gave the clearest definition of humility in Romans 12 vs 3, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Every believer should not think of himself or herself more highly than he or she ought to think, but to think soberly. 

The cure of evil desires is humility. In Proverbs 16 vs 18, the Scriptures says, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride usually makes us self-centered and leads us to wrongly conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine. This wrong feeling creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. Only in being humble before God that we can be released from our self-centered desires, realizing that all we really need is God's approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world's seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.

God hears the humble, and does not forget his cry (Psalm 9 vs 12). He dwells in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, and revives the spirit of the humble (Isaiah 57 vs 15). He gives grace to the humble (James 4 vs 6; First Peter 5 vs 5), and grace (free and unmerited favour of God to sinful humanity) is all we need, and is God's greatest gift. When you humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due time (First Peter 5 vs 6) and His timing is the best since the end is known to Him from the beginning, and wants the very best for you.

Be clothed with humility (First Peter 5 vs 5) both old and young. Pride often keeps older people from trying to understand young people and keeps young people from listening to those who are older. Both young and old should be humble and serve each other, old people leading the young ones, and the young ones respecting the old. Be humble enough to admit you can learn from each other.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of humility and obedience, as exemplified in Christ Jesus our Messiah, that I may serve You and others acceptably and obtain Your grace in riches, honor, and life, in Jesus Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!