Daily Devotional Week of 3-4-2002

Monday 3-4-02

FEAR WROUGHTS HUMILITY

Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. - Psalm 25:12

To fear the Lord is to humble yourself before your God. Are you willing to do this? To humble yourself before the Lord requires you to acknowledge in every way that God knows best, that He is in charge, and that you no longer are. Yes, but you say, "the Lord gave me a brain, I need to use it." But how do you use it? Do you use it to go your own way or do you use it to seek God in all you do? You see, God promises to guide the humble in what is right (verse 9). Every thing we do, every move we make should be prefaced by "Is this pleasing to you O Lord? Are my attitudes and actions reflecting Christ?" Though we would like to think that some choices are neutral, there really are no neutral choices. Because what we choose is driven by what is in our heart. When we willingly submit to God and desire to keep the demands of His covenant, then we demonstrate humility. Then we can expect God to bless us through Jesus Christ. Thank God for His blessings on your life today and pray for an even greater desire to live by His word.

For further study: Proverbs 2:1-8

Tuesday 3-5-02

A PRAYER FOR HUMILITY

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.
- Proverbs 22:4

Most precious heavenly Father I pray that I would seek after true riches, lasting riches, riches that moth and rust cannot destroy. Lord I pray that you would cause me to fear you by illuminating my understanding of who I am in light of your most glorious and holy nature. God I pray for humility in my life. I pray that I would fear you, whether it be in times of trouble or times of rejoicing. Grant these things Oh Lord according to your word, for your glory. Amen.

For further study: Isaiah 6:1-8

Wednesday 3-6-02

HUMILITY AND WISDOM

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. - Proverbs 11:2

Humility, I like to say, is giving up the right to be right. Pride exalts itself in one's own eyes, while humility lowers itself in one's own eyes-and before God. There can be a false humility that says, "Oh, I am not good enough to do this or that." What does that mean? It means you are full of pride. It means that you have your eyes set on yourself and not on God.

But you say, "If I feel unworthy, isn't that humility?" We are unworthy, unworthy of being saved by the blood of Jesus. But since we have been saved by His blood, we are to no longer depend on our own strength but on His. Dependence on ourselves means we remain in bondage to flesh, unwilling to release ourselves completely to God. Mainly because we do not want to bear the uncomfortableness that we will experience by humbling ourselves and saying, "I may not feel worthy, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus Who gives me strength." Or "I may not feel worthy, but God has given me His Spirit and I know God can accomplish great things through me if I am a willing vessel."

We forget, we do not do God's work. God does His work through us by the Holy Spirit. God's work is not bound by our natural abilities or lack thereof. God is looking for people who are willing to offer themselves for His purposes. Pray today, that you would be willing to offer more of yourself to God for His glory.

For further study: James 3:13-17

Thursday 3-7-02

THE SHELTER OF HUMILITY

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger. - Zephaniah 2:3

"Seek the Lord, you humble of the land, you who do what He commands." Do you see the connection in this verse between humility and obedience? The humble person seeks to obey God in all he does. And the obedient one is called humble. Humility requires us to cast down our own thoughts about what is good, right, and desirous and to take up the truth of God's word on what is good, right and desirous. The humble person forsakes himself and walks in the ways of the Lord, believing that God's ways are best and he who does so will perhaps be hidden from the wrath of the Lord. Thank Almighty God today for the shelter from His own wrath that He gives to those who humble themselves.

For further study: Hebrews Matthew 5:1-12

Friday 3-8-02

THINKING TOO MUCH OF ONESELF

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought...Romans 12:3

Do you know what I mean when I say, "my head is swirling?" Or can you relate to being full of anxiety? In times like this I am unable to sleep and I constantly feel a weight sitting on the middle of my chest. For me the root of this problem is "thinking of myself more highly than I ought, instead of with sober judgment." Generally this experience occurs after I feel I have exposed a little too much of myself to someone. Perhaps I think I have been a little too transparent. It especially occurs when I feel that I have not just exposed, but demonstrated a sinful attitude. Unfortunately, this shows a lack of maturity on my part, which I pray will lessen, as I grow "older." But mainly it is an issue of pride. To be so worried at what other people might be thinking about me is to consider myself more highly than I ought, it is the epitome of pride. After all, I am a sinner, and yet like a hypocrite, at times I am more concerned with my appearance than with my offenses against God. Thankfully I have a relationship with the true and living God who is quick to hear my repentant prayers and flood my heart with truth, grace and mercy and to use these times to bring humility a little closer to reality in my heart.

For further study: 1 John 1:7-10

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