After an Encounter Sample

Day 7: Walk Humbly Before the Lord

What does God want us to do? Our human nature seems to seek an answer to this question, and religion appears to require some kind of action from us. When it comes to forgiveness of sin and being in right standing with God, our role is to ask for it and then accept God's gracious gift.

But when it comes to other areas of spiritual growth and practice, there is direction from the Word of God.

Micah 6:8 (AMP)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 18:1-4 (AMP)

At that time the disciples came up and asked Jesus, Who then is [really] the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The common thread that runs through these Scriptures is this: humility.

“I am sure that there are many Christians who will confess that their experience has been very much like my own—that we had long known the Lord without realizing that meekness and lowliness of heart should be the distinguishing feature of the disciple, as they were of the Master.”

“Such humility is not a thing that will come on its own. It must be made the object of special desire, prayer, faith and practice.”

-Andrew Murray, renowned Scottish minister.

We often complicate our relationship with God by feeling the need to "do this or that." However, God's requirements are profoundly simple: faith, love, and humility. These attitudes and motivations of the heart should be the foundation for everything we do.

While it's not possible to say that one is more important than the other, humility before God and others seems to be the secret to maintaining our relationship with God and with people. It opens the way for every work of God in our lives and through our lives.

Humility of heart serves you well as it allows you to not be blinded by pride and self-focus. It enables you to quickly admit when you are wrong and to seek forgiveness.

Sincere repentance is an important part of humility. It is a precious gift to have a heart that is tender and continuously responsive to God.

Charles Spurgeon once said:

“Sincere repentance is continual. Believers repent until their dying day. Every other sorrow yields to time, but this dear sorrow grows with our growth and it is so sweet a bitter (herb) that we thank God we are permitted to enjoy and suffer it until we enter our eternal rest.”

Pray:

Consciously humble your heart before the Lord. Ask God to continue to work in your life in such a way that you will always have a tender heart before Him, a simple child-like faith and an ability to always respond to His direction and His correction.