Memorize: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 1 Peter 5:6.
Devotional Reading: 1 Kings 21:1-29
Madeleine L’Engle said – Humility is throwing oneself away in complete concentration on something or someone else.
Many people enjoy the honour of being praised for their achievements or successes in life. While there may be nothing wrong with that, those achievements were made possible by the assistance or support of another. 1 Corinthians 4:7; For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not received it? So why take the praise and receive the glory as if you did it yourself.
The world today is full of pride and bragging, self claimed glory, you hear people say – ‘It is my hard earned money, I worked for it’, they forgot to ask themselves where did the strength and power comes from. The answer is in Deuteronomy 8:18; But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.
Saint Augustine said – “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”
The humble constantly tap into the store house of God’s grace that gives strength to climb higher. There is enormous power in humility. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu talks about the power of humility in such a beautiful and profound way: “All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it, its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them”.
Humility is what gives us power to rise and be elevated. Humility and not pride! The power of humility made God delay his judgement even over a wicked and evil king.
“And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.” 1 Kings 21:28-29.
The Bible says that Ahab “did more evil in the eyes of the Lord” than any king who had served before him, 1 Kings 16:30. It seemed inevitable that God would judge this evil king.
Yet a short time later God declared that He would not bring “disaster” on Ahab. Why? Because he “humbled himself.”
There is much we can learn about God, and ourselves, from this story.
First, these verses demonstrate that people can change. There is no question that Ahab deserved God’s judgment for the evil he had done. But even this evil king could repent and change.
But this also demonstrates the importance of humility to God.
As much as He hates pride, God stands ready to grant His grace and forgive us . . . If we humble ourselves and repent. As James wrote, God “resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble” James 4:6.
The story of Ahab is one that should inspire us to believe God can save and restore all who truly humble themselves.
Don’t claim the glory that belongs to God, give him his glory, stay humble and he will exalt you in due time. I pray that the LORD will give you a heart of humility in Jesus name.
Prayer point: O LORD, give me the grace to be humble.
Key Dose: There is no limit to the rising of the Humble.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)
