Humble Yourself

Introduction

(Scripture Quotes, Biblegateway.com)

The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

God gave me to focus on the word humble. God said to me during this pandemic, “People are praying but they are not humbling themselves.”

The Teaching is Entitled: Humble Yourself

The history of the text is important because it starts with the completion, and dedication of Solomon’s Temple. The Temple was completed in time to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles also called the Feast of Booths which was a celebration of remembrance of God’s faithfulness and protection during the wilderness wandering.

The Feast of Tabernacles

(Leviticus 23:33-44, Numbers 29:12-40, Deuteronomy 16:13-17)

King Solomon and the assembly of Israel first offered countless sacrifices, praise, and worship to God for his faithfulness and promise to David in seating Solomon on the throne and allowing him to build the temple.

After the sacrifices were made, King Solomon knelt in the posture of supplication and prayed to God on behalf of the nation of Israel.

He made (8) eight petitions to God which were:

• For the presence of God

• For His protection

• For His forgiveness of sins and trespass

• For His justice

• For His mercy for gentiles who trusted in the God of Israel

• For victory in battle

• For restoration, and

• For attention to every prayer.

Each of these petitions was granted to Israel and they have been granted to the Church today:

• Our bodies are the Temple in which God dwells.

• God’s presence is with us through his Holy Spirit.

• He sends his angels and his word to protect us.

• He forgives us of our sins and trespass.

• When the wicked troubles us, God administers justice. God promised, “Vengeance is mine and I will repay.” (Deuteronomy 32:25, Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30) God saved us by engrafting and adopting the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.

• We have the victory because Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness and on the cross and destroyed the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

• Jesus is the Good Shepherd who restores our soul and restores us from trials. (John 10:10)

• The Bible says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6). The Bible says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy (Hebrews 4:16), and The Lord Jesus hears the fervent effectual prayers of the righteous. (James 5:16)

God tells us to humble ourselves under his mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6) and to be willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19-20). The word humble in our text is both an adjective and a verb that means to submit oneself, especially before God.

Unger’s Bible Dictionary defines humility as lowliness or submissiveness of mind; freedom from vanity, understanding that God is Almighty. Humility expresses a spirit of willingness and obedience and a lack of resistance to God’s dealings with us.

Humility is a matter of the heart, and the Bible says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV),” The Bible also says in Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil[a]treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." The Bible says in Psalm 66:18 NKJV, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear."

The 3 most common areas where the Body of Christ falls short in humbling ourselves is:

1. Submitting to Authority

2. Resolving Offenses (Forgiveness)

3. Answering God’s Call

Submitting to Authority

The Bible tells us about Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. They were siblings and probably closer to each other than anyone else. Miriam and Aaron who were to submit to Moses as the chosen leader spoke against Moses because he married an Ethiopian woman. They took it further by questioning Moses’ position and authority as Israel’s leader. (Numbers 12:1-16) God immediately called them into judgment, confirming Moses as meek and the leader of Israel. He struck Miriam with leprosy (represents sin) and placed her outside of the camp for seven days.

We also have the example of Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron in challenging Moses’ leadership and the priesthood. God confirmed his choice of Moses as Israel’s leader. God confirmed Aaron and his sons as High Priest; and Korah, his family, and all those who followed him with their families lost their lives. (Numbers 16:1-50) This shows how serious God is about respecting authority. Authority is not just in our churches but in our homes, work, and government.

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:17 NIV says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

Ephesians 5 and other passages of scripture outline authority in the household. Romans 13, Titus 3, and 1 Peter tell us to submit and pray for government because there is no power that God has not ordained. When a person is not submitted to an authority they are not in a place of humility or submitted to God’s will.

Resolving Offenses (Forgiveness)

People are attending church and even serving in ministry with others that they dislike because of unresolved issues. The contention and strife can be felt by others, and it is crippling to the ministry.

It is difficult to serve with a person who offended you, and it is equally as difficult for others who serve in that ministry. I asked God to release me from a ministry that was filled with strife. The division was causing me to feel anger and frustration. I had to repent for anger, and I had nothing to do with the incident: I don’t know what happened to cause the division.

Contention, strife, and confusion is death; it hinders God’s work and destroys ministries. The Bible tells us how to resolve offenses and if the instructions are followed by all sides, then the offense will be resolved. God’s word is true and clear. (Matthew 18:15-19) We must humble ourselves and do the word of God. And have the love in our hearts to forgive one another.

Answering God's Call

When a person refuses to answer God’s call to ministry it is a refusal to submit to the will of God for their life: The Body of Christ suffers because all the members are not working as they should. (1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-13)

The scriptures point out certain gifts given to men such as teacher or preacher or pastor but, God has given several gifts to men. King David not only ruled, but he played instruments, wrote music, praised, and prayed endlessly.

• God has called people to get to the prayer room to pray but they haven’t gotten there yet.

• God has asked some to get out the bed in the wee hours of the morning and pray, but we haven’t set the alarm.

• God has called people to Pastor in the body of Christ who haven’t moved yet.

• God may have asked us to turn off the phone and tv and study, but it hasn’t happened yet.

• God has called people to write books, use their gifts in administration, advocacy, government, helps, and prophecy, but they haven’t answered.

The Church is praying for:

• Repentant Hearts

• Salvation

• Healing

• Forgiveness

• Restoration

• Nations

• Other things

But before there can be a turnaround in the lives of people in the world, there must be a turnaround in the hearts of the Church.

We want the nation’s leaders to be humble and turn to God, but God is telling us to be humble and turn from our wicked ways. Repentance is saying yes Lord in our hearts and acting to implement the change or answer the call. If we do so, God will hear our prayer, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

Author: Adrena I Brown