Day 17
Humility for His Honor
“Humble themselves”
Defining Humility
Many people have a false idea of what humility actually is. They get a picture of a groveling beggar who is unwilling to lift his head in public, ashamed of who he is. Although I am ashamed of things I have done in my past, when I humble myself before the Lord, I am not ashamed of who I am; and I hold my head up high. The Bible says in Romans 8:37, “we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” People also get the idea that humble people are weak. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29 that He is humble, and He certainly is not weak.
To be humble is to be void of pride and arrogance in your life. If you are humble and you know you are, then, my friend, you are by no means humble. Humility isn’t something you do; it is someone you are. Humility is a natural character that flows out from you without thought or conscious effort. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for humility. Humility isn’t natural for us. We need to work on it by denying the flesh and seeking God. However, a truly humble person walks, talks, breathes, and flows in humility as a natural part of who they are just as Christ did. That’s where God desires us to be. Peter said in I Peter 5:5, “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
A humble person is one who always puts others first. His needs can wait. Her desires aren’t pressing. His wants are outweighed by the needs of the others. Serving God requires serving people. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:8 that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” We find in Jesus the perfect example of humility-One who was strong enough to put Himself to the side for the greater good of those whom He served. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The arrogant and prideful feel as though the world owes them and therefore should serve them. This attitude is most certainly not a Christ-like attitude.
Humility is also the realization that we are not self-sufficient. We so desperately need God for every area in our lives. The scriptures are clear that through Christ we can do all things, but apart from Him we can do nothing. Matthew 14:22-33 gives the account when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. They weren’t sure if it was actually Jesus or just a ghost. Put yourself in their sandals for a moment. You would be confused as well. Peter said “Lord, if it is You command me to come to You on the water,” and Jesus said, “come.” Peter then stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. As long as Peter’s focus was on Jesus, He could walk on the water; but once he lost focus, He began to sink.
We find two amazing things about this story. First, as long as Peter’s focus was on Jesus, He could walk on the water. Therefore, as long as we stay focused on Jesus, we can do anything. Secondly, once Peter started to sink Jesus rescued him. Jesus didn’t say “He lost focus so I’m gonna just let that fool drown.” We need the Lord when we are strong, and we need the Lord when we are weak. Paul, speaking of his humility before God said, in II Corinthians 12:10 “When I am week, then I am strong.” God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses. Humility is finding strength in God despite our weakness, as well as leaning on Him despite our strength.
Day 17 Prayer Guide
- Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
- Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
- Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
- Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
- Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
- Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
- Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
- Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
- Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
- Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
- Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total obedience.
- Pray for humility upon the people of God that leads to total dependency on Him.
- Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
- Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
- Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
- Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
- Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
- Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
- Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
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