The Humble Heart

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    Last week we thought about the importance of seeking out God and who He is. Did you know that God seeks us out too?  He is chasing after our hearts and desiring to draw us close to revive and renew us.  Isaiah 57:15 gives us a look at what kind of person God is looking for to accomplish this beautiful work of revival:

For this is what the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, says:
“I dwell in a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite."
 

    That word lowly is also translated as "humble" in some translations.  I don't know about you, but I desire that renewing of the spirit that only God can provide.  Isaiah tells me that God is looking for humble people to lift up and revive.  Revival is not for the lost.  Revival is for those who are Christ-followers and need the renewed vision of His presence in and among His people.  God is eager and ready to start this work of revival in the church, but He needs humble people.  What does humility look like?

    I think we often mistake humility for self-deprecation.  Putting ourselves down at every turn is not honoring to the marvelous and wondrous miracle of creation.  God created each one of us, forming each of our parts, breathing into our bodies His breath of life.  We are "fearfully and wonderfully made!"  It is wrong to put ourselves down.  It is equally wrong to view others of God's creation as unworthy of His love and grace.  God created each human with the same miraculous precision and loving care. 

    Dannah Gresh of True Girl and Revive Our Hearts (both wonderful resources for Bible study and encouragement) gave this definition of humility:

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.

 Thinking less often of ourselves allows us to see others around us as fearfully and wonderfully made creations of God.  Our thoughts and eyes are turned to the marvelous and miraculous power of God in lovingly creating and redeeming each human life.  We will look for opportunities to serve and encourage others and not think of ourselves more highly than we ought as Romans 12:3 warns us. The humble heart simply does not think of themselves, but thinks about others and the love God has for them!  

    Pride creates conflict.  Proverbs 13:10 says this very clearly.  As the opposite of pride, humility leads to peace. Our pastor's wife has a chapter in her newest book about meekness.  Humility and meekness are very similar. Pointing us to repentance, she clearly describes what a life of surrender to God and selflessness looks like. This is a wonderful resource for learning more about what godly humility looks like. (Type A Christian)

    Repenting of a spirit of pridefulness opens up our heart and spirit to allow God to work. His spirit is able to show us the greatness of our Creator.  Our spirits can be renewed. Revival begins with repentance, but only comes to the humble heart.  God is looking for hearts to revive and renew! He delights in this. Let's pray together for  humble hearts, so that we can be found by Him! 

    Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks💓


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