The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility. Proverbs 15:33.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלוהים) says:
In preparation for eternity, humility is essential. I resist the proud, and give grace to the humble.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7.
Why would I resist the proud? Because they resist Me. The proud person’s heart is not right, he sees nothing but himself as worthy of attention. His focus is only on self-gratification. And in seeking only himself, he brings himself to ruin.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor. Proverbs 18:12.
Now let Me tell you about humility. Jesus was humble. He was and is meek and humble of heart. He sought My interests and your interests and laid aside His powers as God to humble Himself to be as one of you so that He could save you. And because of His humility, I raised Him above and bestowed upon Him the Name that is above every other name, and to Him every knee must bow in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth and declare that “Jesus Christ is Lord!”
Humility comes before honor. He knew His mission and His place and He stayed right within those boundaries with joy. He was willing to serve. He was the Most High, yet He made Himself the servant of all. In Him, I stooped to make your great.
How do you humble yourself? By casting all your cares and anxiety on Me because you know that I care for you and that I created you.
Shout joyfully to the LORD all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:1-3.
I exalt you at the proper time. What is the proper time? The time when greatness and honor will not destroy you by making you adore yourself. That it will not make you think that you have done all yourself alone and are better than anyone else, even than Me. That happened to Satan and it happened to Adam and it happened to Herod and I could go on.
Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
HUMILITY IS KNOWING YOUR PLACE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST AND LOVING IT.
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:13-31.
Humility, honor, reverence, respect, and love all look very much alike. Love does not take offense but neither does humility. Love shows honor and respect and so does humility. Reverence before Me shows you love Me, that you are humble, that you honor Me, and that you respect Me.
But humility as a member of the Body of Christ, the Church, also honors Me by honoring those I have placed in positions of authority to lead and guide you. Honor and be grateful for these precious gifts I give you to increase your understanding and knowledge of My Words and ways through the ministry gifts I have given them which are for you. When the people complained against Moses, they were complaining against Me, for I spoke with Him and I had placed him as their leader for many very good reasons. I know the kind of men and women I chose and there are reasons, but primarily to benefit those that they are leading and guiding to Me.
When Korah led the rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the desert he was not humble. I had given him and his brethren much honor as Levites in placing them in charge of My holy vessels, furnishings, and all the equipment of the Tabernacle, including the Tabernacle itself. I was their portion and saw to all their needs. But this was not enough for them, instead of loving their position and honoring it, they wanted to take over the leadership I had put in Moses and Aaron. Do you remember what finally happened, after I showed them many signs and tried to stop their rebellion against Me? Their ingratitude and covetousness opened up the earth and they were swallowed right into hell due to their insolent pride. They went with the master they served. I resist the proud.
Remember that this life is only a test and you pass the test best in your own assignment and not in trying to take over someone else’s assignment. No one else can be you and you cannot be anybody else either. If you are faithful in the little things each day, I can entrust you with greater things and they will not ruin you. After thirteen years of humbly doing with excellence whatever tasks he had to do in the place he was in, whether as a slave or a prisoner, Joseph was ready for riches and honor and a wonderful life that was life indeed.
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life. Proverbs 22:4.
True humility comes with a desire to please Me in all that you do. It is not a heart of rebellion that defies My very existence and makes man above his maker.
My Son told you that you must become like little children to enter the Kingdom and the lowly child was of greatest importance therein. Man does not think as I do. People think the best positions are those which put you in the limelight and make you famous and well-known but I tell you that the greatest one among you is the one who serves the rest. And what is so special about a little child? They know they are not their own source but it does not upset them, they are very happy to have a father and mother to run to when they need something and they know it will be provided. And they are not worried about whether they are rich and famous with authority over others. They just enjoy playing and singing each day while their parents take care of all their needs. And somehow in their hearts they know their future has greatness in it. And so should you.
For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
Love them, live them, and humble yourself before Me so I can exalt you. Humility brings riches and honor and long life in like a magnet. I reward those who seek Me.
I love you. Know that everything you do is important to Me and each moment is determining your eternity. Anything done with love for Me from a sincere heart is rewarded. But anything done without love in pride and self-glory, no matter how great it looks to others, means nothing.