A Lack of Humility

2 Chronicles 33:10-13 [10] The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they didn’t listen.   [11] So He brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.   [12] When he was in distress, he sought the favor of Yahweh his God and earnestly humbled himself  before the God of his ancestors. [13] He prayed to Him, so He heard his petition and granted his request,  and brought him back to Jerusalem, to his kingdom. So Manasseh came to know that Yahweh is God.

2 Chronicles 34:26-28 HCSB

[26] Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to ask Yahweh, ‘This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard, [27] because  your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I Myself have heard’ — this is the Lord’s declaration. [28] ‘I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place and on its inhabitants.’ ”  Then they reported to the king.

As I read the stories of both King Manasseh and King Josiah, I was reminded of what both James and Peter wrote, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5) The interesting thing about these two kings is that one, King Manasseh, did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; while the other did what was right before the Lord. Yet, God responded to both with grace, when they humbled themselves before Him. Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. Our God came to us, as a Man, and humbled Himself under the authority of His human parents. He then humbled Himself under human authority to the point of allowing men to falsely accuse Him and put Him to death in one of the cruelest ways imaginable. In the end, the Father exalted His Name above all names. If we are to truly draw near to God, and if He is to be found by us, it will take more than desire. It will also take humility. Satan was one of God's most powerful created beings. Yet, this cherub's pride caused his downfall. The Bible is clear that pride comes before a fall. However, humility before God brings salvation, fellowships, anf a true walk with Him. When we come before Him, acknowledging that all our works of righteousness are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and call upon Jesus, in faith, relying only on His finished work on the cross, and His resurrection, God will save us, by His grace alone. As followers of Jesus, if we will truly seek Him, in humility, submitting ourselves under His mighty hand and authority, only then will we find Him. So today, let us stop and ask ourselves (both unsaved and saved), "Is my lack of humility, and my unbelief, keeping me from finding salvation in Christ?" "Is my lack of humility, as a follower of Jesus, hindering my walk and fellowship with Him?"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).