Humbleness:
1. What does it mean to be humble? Everyone knows, but few can say. So I looked for answers in God's Word. I believe that it means to know who you are in Christ, and to be subject to every Word of God. "Know who you are in Christ" means to know that you were saved by grace. It is all because of Christ. "Be subject to every Word of God" means be obedient to all of it. God said,
Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist," says the Lord (Yahweh). But on this one will I look: On him who is poor (poor in spirit i.e. humble), and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:1-2
To be obedient to all of God's Word would require a great deal of humility indeed. One would be constantly repenting. And that is actually what God wants. He will look upon one who is of such a contrite spirit. That means He is looking for such a man, and when He finds him, His gaze is fixed.
2. Jesus was humble. He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a bond servant. Then He went still further and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. That is our example. It seems impossible of course, but Paul says "Have this mind in you." We do need to be obedient to that Word of God to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be obedient to all the Word of God.
3. It is as if God went fishing with His Word. He is looking for someone who will actually do it. Who will love His wife as Christ loved the Church? Who will believe the gospel? Whose life will be changed? Who will love his enemies? Who will bless those who curse him? Who will bring up his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord? Who will be the servant of all? Who will walk in love? Who will respond to everything that is asked of him in God's Word? If God can find such a person, that is where He will make His abode! He will come to live with that man! Everybody should memorize the words of Isaiah 57:15.
For thus says the High and Lofty One, Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place. With Him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
4. Did you catch that? God will revive the spirit and the heart of the humble and the contrite. That means a whole lot more than we think it does. Revival is in the Bible. It is at the very heart of God. It is what He wants. But He has conditions, and He has principles. His word is eternal and unchanging. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We need to repent. Revival is like a waterfall. God said He would pour out His Spirit in the last days. When you pour a glass of water you make a waterfall do you not? God said He would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing upon those who pay their tithes. So picture a waterfall of living water coming down upon yourself. Grace is like water flowing downhill seeking the lowest place. That waterfall is looking for a place to come to rest. Remember Isaiah chapter 66 verse one? God asks the question, "Where is the place of My rest?" God is looking for a place to come to rest. And He will come to rest upon those who are humble. In Isaiah 57:15 God says He lives with the one who is humble and of a contrite spirit. I want God to live with me. What would happen? I don't know, but the Bible says the place of His rest will be glorious.
And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:10
5. What would happen if an entire community of people would become humble? It's a no brainer. God would come and make His dwelling place there. That is what He wants to do.
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 will forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
We need to learn this.
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