Having A Humble Heart

And it came about when the king heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his clothes... "[Because] your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the Lord.

 

2 Kings 22:11, 19

 

 

What does the Word of God do for you?

 

To Josiah, the Word wasn't simply teachings—it was revelation. It revealed the wrongs which the previous generations had committed and led Josiah to make the changes that were necessary to set his house in order. When it was read to him, it was as if the Word exploded within his heart and he was moved to take action, to make the adjustments to his life and his household.

 

And for his humility, the Lord blessed him.

• It's humility that primes our hearts to be receptive and sensitive to the revelation of God's Word.
• It's humility that moves us to correction and change—to adjust and alter our ways—in favor of God's ways.
• It's humility that will lead to obedience of God's Word.
• It's humility that tenderizes our hearts and heightens our awareness to the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit who is working in us.

Without humility, our hearts become hardened.

 

Without humility, our hearts become hardened and resistant to change. We may in fact read God's Word, but it simply becomes head knowledge. And while we may memorize scripture, the Word and the lessons to be revealed, will never move us to change and His Word fails to make a difference in our lives.

 

How do we measure our degree of humility?

 

By truthfully answering these questions:

 

To what extent am I willing to make a change in my life because of what God revealed to me today?

 

How will I be different today because of what I have read in God's Word?

Regardless of past accomplishments and achievements, regardless of success, each day we need to possess a heart of humility that is willing and open to change according to what God has revealed to us.

 

Ask God to reveal to your heart, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, the areas of your life that you need to begin to sweep, especially the chambers of your heart and the corners where no one sees, except God Himself.