will humble themselves
“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
What does it mean to humble ourselves? Here are a few definitions from the dictionary:
• To destroy the independence of
• To reduce the self-sufficiency of
• To curtail the pride of
• To destroy the power of
• To cause to be modest in spirit
• To think lowly of oneself
All of these definitions remind me of what John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). We all have an inclination towards independence and self-sufficiency, pride and power, often in many small ways. True humility is characterized by coming to the end of ourselves and recognizing our utter dependence on God. One of my favorite preachers, from Uganda (a country that has been completely transformed in the last 10 years by the Spirit of God), likes to say, “How do you want your revival—through devastation or through desperation?” God wants us to be desperate for Him to come. Admitting weakness and desperation means that we have to humble ourselves. We can be saved and living for God and yet have areas of our lives that are not fully submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Humbling ourselves means stepping off the throne and giving God full access to every part of our lives and hearts. It means choosing to serve and putting others first. It means acknowledging that we are imperfect, inadequate, and unable, but at the same time recognizing that God is perfect, sufficient, and “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20)!
Prayer: Father, I pray that You would increase and I would decrease. Please strip me of independence, self-sufficiency, pride, and power, and give me a lowly, modest, and humble heart. Help me to be desperate for You, in my own life, in our city and nation. Help me to consistently serve others in a way that will bring glory to You. Holy Spirit, please show me any areas of my life that are not pleasing to You. I want You to be Lord of all the kingdoms of my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
