Humility

Occasionally I will write about one of the books I have recently read and today is such an occasion. I hope you will consider reading "Humility" by Andrew Murray; doing so has had a great impact on my life!

"Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue." So states Andrew Murray in his Christian classic entitled "Humility." I, and every other Christian in the world should shout a loud amen to this assertion of profound truth! Humility is the key to a right relationship with God just as pride is key to the loss or failure ever to realize such a relationship. "Pride, or the loss of humility, is the root of every sin and evil." There can be no argument against such a statement when we consider the fall of our first parents in the Garden of Eden. It was the loss of humility and complete dependence upon God, which caused an act of defiance on the part of of Adam and Eve. Their rebellion was birthed in the ideas of self sufficiency and independence from God which resulted from the pride in their heart.

Murray's book is a great read for those who desire a deeper walk with God and a greater faith in Him. We, and with that pronoun I mean me, you and the church at large, have generally lost sight of the place humility and death to self are intended to have in our faith. This little book (and it is a short read) will help all of us better define what humility is, its importance to our walk with God and how we might better realize it in our life. Humility is more than self abasement or self deprecation. Humility is death to self, life in Christ and the complete dependence upon God which results. Do not miss out on the wonderful kind of life which awaits those who better understand these truths!

The following is a prayer Murray encourages all of us to pray:

"That of His great goodness God would make known to you, and take from your heart, every kind and form and degree of pride, whether it be from evil spirits, or your own corrupt nature; and that He would awaken in you the deepest depth and truth of that humility, which can make you capable of His light and Holy Spirit."

AMEN!

James

Jehovah-Jireh

God is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider. El Shaddai, God Almighty, is our provider. What a comforting thought to know everything we could ever need for the life God desires for us to have will be provided. Paul said in Philippians chapter four that he knew what is was to be content in little or much because he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength. This kind of humility and contentment are only found by those who realize it is the Lord, El Shaddai, who provides. Such a person may then trust his needs to be met by the One who is God Almighty.


James

Comfort in Life's Valleys

El-Shaddai

God is El-Shaddai, God Almighty. Have you recently considered who God really is? Do you sometimes find yourself too casual or "chummy" with the King of Kings? Is God so "mundane" or "common" in your life that you fail to realize the grandeur of His person? How can we possibly believe in, worship or trust a God who is less than the Almighty One who elicits praise from infants and makes men fall on their face when simply entering His presence? Our God is the God whom Moses could not look upon because no man can look upon the Lord and live! Even looking at God as He passed by left Moses with a face glowing so brightly from God's glory that he had to wear a veil over his face for weeks so as not to blind those who looked at him.


Much would be different in our life, church and world if we would gain but a glimpse of the awesome nature of the true God. Jehovah is our friend, daddy and confidant but He is much more than these comforting realities. God is holy, omnipotent, omniscient, and completely beyond our ability to comprehend. We cannot know the height, depth, width or breadth of His love. We cannot fathom His thoughts because they are higher than our own. We cannot begin to understand the scope of His glory, grandeur or wonder of His person. Yet, He reveals enough of Himself that we might know, love and worship Him. Hallelujah to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come!" Thank you Jesus for saving us so we might know and love You our Lord God Almighty!


James