Welcome to our return to “Experiencing The Presence of God.”
Over the next several days, we are revisiting the biblical truths we recently discovered as we expressed a heartfelt burden and desire to know the very presence of God in our midst. Let’s focus today on the subject of humility. Humility is the prescription for pride. When pride goes unchecked in our lives, it devours like a cancer the vibrant walk we can have with our Lord. Unfortunately, because pride by its very nature is so hidden, we often are the last ones to come face to face with its destructive power over our lives. God has a clear word for us that can help each of us return to a refreshing, clean heart before our Holy Father. Experiencing the presence of God will never take place apart from this humble discussion…

…So, let’s take a moment to…
Recapture What God Has Taught Us…
Remember that the word “humble” means “to lay low before God.” In Matthew chapter 23:12, Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus said, “If you determine to lift yourself up in life, God may humble you but if you willingly humble yourself before God, God may chose to lift you up.” In James 4:6, He says, “But He gives more grace.” Meaning much, much more grace. “Therefore it says, ‘God, does what?’ “He opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.” The word there is very clear, is it not? God gives more grace. More grace to what? To the proud, God hates the pride. God opposes pride. God never authenticates pride. God never verifies the validity of pride anywhere in scripture. So He opposes the proud, but what does He do? He gives grace, greater grace to the humble.

With this reminder let’s…
Understand What That Means Personally…
It simply means that we are to be responsible to act upon God’s Word! Each one of us must examine our lives in light of God’s Holy Spirit and let His truthful assessment lead us to take care of spiritual business. James chapter 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Now what He is doing here is calling us to take the initiatory action here for us to humble ourselves before God. Sometimes we get it in our mind that simply it’s God humbling us; no, it’s us humbling ourselves before God. Yes, there are moments when God takes action toward you or me, but I guarantee it, the normal Christian life should not be filled with God taking action against us or towards us, but it should be us humbling ourselves before the Lord. Well, He says when we’re willing to do that, “He (God) will exalt us.” That’s a powerful promise; you ought to stand on that word.

Now as we conclude this let’s…
Act on what God Has Said To Us…
I want you to take a moment right now and apply God’s Word to your heart. Look up and read the following verses that speak directly to this issue of humility:

1 Peter 5:6
Proverbs 29:23
Psalm 10:17
Isaiah 57:15

Lord, we humble ourselves before your Holy presence. May you have your perfect work in each life as we walk through these days together.