Proverbs 6:3 - Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
Matthew 23:12 - And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 18:4 - Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
James 4:9 - Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
I Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
II Chronicles 32:23 - And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
When we come to a point when we are completely surrounded by the enemy, it is time, past time, to call out to God. Now, when God magnifies you, you must give Him the credit.
II Chronicles 32:24-25 - In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and He spake unto him, and He gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
God gave him a sign (He turned the sun back 10 degrees), but still his heart (Hezekiah's) was lifted up; he was prideful. God doesn't have to bless us, He blesses us because He loves us; so why, why won't people serve Him?
Pride.
When husbands have pride in their heart, the wife and kids suffer.
II Chronicles 32:26 - Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
We can humble ourselves or God can humble us. Look at what happened to pharaoh; he lost his son, and he lost his army AFTER going through all the plagues.
Pride hides, it refuses help when you need it, and it takes glory from God.
So, How Can I Humble Myself?
1. When someone offers your praise, turn it around and praise the Lord and/or someone else. Get praise and give it.
Romans 13:7- Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
II Samuel 23:15-16 - And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. {these men were giving David their love and loyalty, and David in gave it to the Lord} David gave credit to God, passing their love and loyalty onto Him.
There are two types of people -
Those who do the work
Those who get credit for doing the work
John 10:25 - Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
John 14:28 - Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
In both of the above verses Jesus gave all the honor and glory to God, not Himself.
Challenge: Practice passing the praise back and forth with someone {make it a game and teach it to your children}
Proverbs 13:10 - Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.When your fighting there is pride, pride is always where there is contention.
Proverbs 15:20 - A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
2. Serve instead of impress
II Chronicles 32:27 - And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
II Chronicles 32:31 - Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
Hezekiah was trying to impress everyone with his wealth and riches that God blessed him with, which in turn led to the destruction of his kingdom. He should have been praising God for all He had blessed him with.
What to get rid of pride? Get rid of the things you use to impress people. If it's your house, sell it and buy a different one; your car? Sell it and get something else. We are here to serve, not impress other, quit trying to "keep up with the Jones's".
Christ humbled Himself and came to earth born in a manger to a poor woman and a carpenter. He chose to die a humiliating death on that cross for YOU.
What if Jesus were at your church service today, in person. When services were over, do you think He would flee ASAP, or do you think He would stay, and help those in need, and helping out where it was needed, cleaning, whatever was needed? He would serve. This is how we should be.
Humility is beautiful on everyone. Humility is not worrying what others think of you.
Philippians 2:6-8 - Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
I Peter 5:5 - Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Husbands - serve your wives
Wives - serve your husbands
Children - serve your parents
Church members - serve your church
Youth - serve the elders
Do you serve or oppress others?
Did you know the number one reason Christian men don't read their Bible is pride? They don't want to face their sins, they don't want anyone to see them humble themselves before the Lord or cry out to God - that is pride!
Psalm 95:6 - O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Husbands, fathers, do your children see you on your knees, confessing your sins, repenting of your sins, humbling yourself before God?
You lose relationships when you don't humble yourself.
Want to be humble? Welcome correction from others. When someone corrects you or offers a suggestion to you, welcome it.
Isaiah 55:8 -
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord".
Stand on the truth, and don't worry about what anyone except Jesus, thinks of you.I am nobody, He is everything.
Jenn
