By: David McFadden

“Before Honor is Humility.”— Proverbs 15:33 

Humiliation of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. If we empty our hearts of self, God will fill them with His love. When there is less of us, there is more room for Him. He who desires  close communion with Christ should remember the Word of the Lord in Isaiah 66:2, “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.”  

God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” with all its riches and treasures. The whole treasury of God is  opened to the soul which is humble enough to be able to receive it without growing proud because of it. God blesses us all up to the full measure and extremity of what it is safe for Him to do.  

If your blessing is not forthcoming, could it be that it is not safe for you to have it. If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in His holy war, is it possible that  you would pilfer the crown for yourself? And when meeting with a fresh enemy, is it also likely that you would fall a victim because of pride. How many of the Proverbs tell us this truth? 

Therefore, a good question to ask is: are you kept low for your own safety? 

When a man is sincerely humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by  the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men.  

True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden. This is a sauce with which you may season every dish of life, and you will find an improvement in every case. Whether it be prayer or  praise, whether it be work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

—Charles H. Spurgeon, adapted from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, Inc. All rights reserved.

Taking God’s Word Back to Him

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises reserved for the humble and contrite heart. In You, all Your promises are “yes, and amen!” Your Word is true and powerful, so I believe Your  Word that tells me that You give grace to the humble. My heart’s desire is to walk before You sincerely humble, and never venture to touch so much as a grain of the praise, knowing that there is scarcely any limit to what You will do in me, and for me, and through me for Your glory. LORD, help me empty my heart of self, so that You can fill it with Your love for a lost and hurting world. I so much desire close communion with You in Jesus. Help me be of contrite spirit, so that I tremble at the power and efficacy of Your Word. I ask these petitions in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Excerpted and adapted from David McFadden’s “Deeper Life Series”.

For more articles from this series go to: https://www.deeperlifeseries.com/devotional-archive

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