02/06/2024
Humility Gives Wings to Prayer... That is a wonderful title for a devotional message on praying as we should, and this is the second time in a week that we are visiting the subject of humility. Humility places God and others before ourselves and admits that we are lacking in some way. This is a holy virtue indeed. Perhaps the Spirit is leading us back to look at our humility once more because we are still found lacking in it, or maybe we are being taught how to portray it better in our lives so that it might be seen more clearly by others as they pursue faith and salvation in theirs.
E.M. Bounds wrote this: "That which gives wings to prayer is a humble mind", and isn’t that true? It is hard, and seemingly useless, to pray and lean on the Lord, when we believe that we are strong enough, smart enough, and fully capable of doing, or obtaining, that for which we are going to Him in prayer. If we believe we are self-sufficient then why would we believe it necessary to pray for God to provide for us, and to send manna? When we already have all we need, and our cupboard is full of meat, fruit, and sweet bread what are we asking Him for? Unless we find ourselves wanting, and unable to obtain a thing, we are not really praying for sustenance, deliverance, or help, but simply as a way of demonstrating that we can do this on our own… that we don’t need His help, but only His recognition. Our prayers become rhetorical, because we feel that we already possess the answer. So how are we praying? Do we believe that our prayers are what heals the sick, or is it God who hears them who heals? Are we asking for provision, or telling the Lord about all that we have? Are we pleading that the for Him to protect us, and defeat our adversary, or simply predicting our own victory. Humility isn’t admitting that we should pray… it is knowing that we must, and that if we do so our God will hear us, and provide. Are our prayers actually humble, and offered in humility, or just an insurance policy in case we are not enough, and might need them? Paul wrote the Corinthians about what Jesus said, and about humbling himself; listen…
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
God honors truth and when we humble ourselves before Him we are acknowledging His power and glory as true. We are exhibiting our understanding of His amazing nature as our creator, and our God.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
James 4:10 ESV
The idea of humility and the word humble are used many many times throughout the bible. Sometimes in regards to those who are humble by nature, sometimes revealing those who truly humble themselves, and then there are those who are humbled by God Himself. Of all of these I pray that God doesn't find it necessary to humble us... Yet if He does, I also pray that the lesson isn't lost on us, and that we then become a testament that He can use to demonstrate the power in humility to others.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for teaching us the power in humility, and what it means to humble ourselves. Lord let our prayers always come to you in honest humility, not simply in humble words. In our times of great joy and success in life let us never fail to recognize you as the one from whom our every blessing flows. You are our provider in all things, and you are our protector, our healer, and He who sustains us always. Lord we pray that we remain forever humble before you, and that in our humility we will find favor in your eyes. Open our eyes to our shortcomings so that we can accept the nature of humility fully, and know that even in humility you are greater than we, and stronger than all who are, and all that is. On our knees, prostrate, subservient, and bowed down, we offer ourselves in prayer to you. We come to you hungry, naked, thirsty, in fear, and found needy, and wanting in so many ways; hear our fervent and pleading prayers Father, and lift us up in your arms forever. Be pleased in us Abba; seeing the humility of Christ in us, and calling us humble, as Moses was.
Amen
“Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.”
Numbers 12:3 CSB
Rich Forbes