Humility 101

Luke 11:⁹ “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Yesterday, we concluded by saying that when Jesus says, ask – seek – knock, He is saying ask! Looking at it from the insight that D. L. Moody brings to the table, three things immediately stand out. The first is, it takes humility to ask. Asking puts you in a place of humility. I know people who do not have food, but they cannot ask their brother who will happily give them. Why? They cannot bring themselves to ask because asking puts you in a place of humility. Many people do not want to be seen as weak and just points to a little bit of arrogance in the mix as well.

Brother A does not have money to transport himself to church. But he knows that Brother B always drives past his house and they serve in the same department in church. However, Brother A has refused to get to the road on time to hitch a ride with Brother B to church. I am not saying Brother A is proud but maybe there is just a little bit of arrogance in there. Interestingly, people do this same thing with God. Sometimes, mere mortals are arrogant at their maker. It takes humility to see your need. It takes humility to ask for help. Women, I am sure you know why men do not like asking for directions when they are driving. I am not saying that men are proud, but there is a little bit of arrogance in there.

If you exalt yourself, God always finds a way to humble you. Have you noticed? If you humble yourself however, God always finds a way to exalt you. That is why it is a beautiful thing to stay in the place of humility. When you humble yourself under God, you are putting yourself in a place where God can lift you up. How far can you even lift yourself really, compared to how far God can lift you up. Even when you think you can lift yourself up really high, God will still find a way of bursting that bubble. 1 Pet.5:⁶ “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”

It takes humility to ask; take the case of Hannah [1 Sam. 1:1-11], it took humility to ask for a son the way she did. She prayed like a mad woman and did not care how she looked. She had been humbled by Peninnah. Solomon, in 2 Kings 3:4-15, gave a seed that resonated in heaven and God asked him what he wanted. Read it, what Solomon said was, “God, You know I am not very intelligent” [paraphrased]. It takes humility to admit that you are a little daft -Solomon admitted.

Prayer: Lord, I admit that I am a sheep and I need You, My Shepherd desperately, in Jesus Name. Amen!

Happy Father’s Day!