08.23.07
“HOLY AND HUMBLE!”
Daniel 10:12
“Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.’ “
“Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.’ ”
One of our favorite movies is “Return To Me.” It involves the story of a heart transplant and transplants have a special meaning to our family. Our oldest daughter, Brenda, was on the transplant list to receive both a heart and lung. The Lord took her home before one became available. It is the perfect healing for the believer! Our youngest daughter had a kidney and pancreas transplant, so you can see how the subject of organ transplantation interests us.
In the movie, there is one character who makes a donation for the construction of a habitat for gorillas. This character announces that he wants to make an anonymous donation. He then publicly announces that he has made “A very sizeable, anonymous donation!” His pride is evident to all but himself.
Every time I watch this movie I marvel about the similarity between this character and many Christians. There are many believers who strive to be holy and in the process take pride in their holiness. Someone sent me a religious cartoon last week showing a man on his knees with his hands folded in prayer. A group approached and presented him with a trophy for being the best pray-er in the church. Ouch!
God despises pride in any form. He wants us to be holy, but not in a way that is intended to be seen by others. That was the attitude of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day that caused Him so much distress. They made public displays anytime they did something religious such as praying or tithing.
Jesus taught powerful lessons in the form of parables. In Luke 18:11-14, He gave a graphic example of humility; “The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
True humility is true holiness. It is confessing our need before the Lord and allowing Him to fill us with His presence and power. Not our will but His be done. May we learn to walk in holiness and brokenness before our Lord. He knows our heart and will hear our earnest prayer.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil