Reviving the Humble

And one shall say, “Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.” For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

The High and Lofty One

God is the High and Lofty One (God is sovereign)

God Inhabits eternity (God is eternal. He is without beginning or ending. He is simultaneously present in every place past, present, and future.)

God’s name is Holy (God is Holy. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. He is altogether different from us.)

God dwells in the High and Holy place (God exists in a heavenly realm far higher than ours.)

A true relationship with God begins with a true understanding that God is high and holy.

Isaiah 6:1–8 NKJV

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

The Contrite and Humble Ones

Psalm 34:18 NKJV

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17 NKJV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

Isaiah 66:2 NKJV

For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

God Resists the Proud

Pride says, “I have arrived. Be like me!”

Pride says, “My church has it all. Don’t settle for less!”

What does the Bible say?

James 4:6–10 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Luke 18:9–14 NKJV

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

God Gives Grace to the Humble

Humility says, “I am seeking God. Come with me!”

Humility brings God’s grace to our need. Grace alone can change our hearts.

Humility is characteristic of true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:25–30 NKJV

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Humility is a sign of spiritual maturity.

The difference between wheat and tares. The wheat and tares look the same until they mature. Upon maturity, the wheat bows over under the weight of fruitfulness. The tares stand straight up with no fruit.

Allen Bond: “The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become.”

John the Baptist

John 3:30 NKJV

He must increase, but I must decrease.

The humble minister understands that the stage of human history is not about himself. He simply introduces and welcomes the LORD to the stage and then fades back behind the curtain so that Jesus alone receives the attention and glory.

Humility is to be our spiritual clothing.

Colossians 3:12 NKJV

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Peter 5:5–6 NKJV

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

God Revives the Humble and Contrite

Humility is a prerequisite to experiencing a revival

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Psalm 51:16–17 NKJV

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

Isaiah 57:15 NKJV

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Response to the Word

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. (God resists the proud.)

Admit your sin, compromise, pride, and excuses.

Admit your own weakness and inability to change yourself.

Admit your need for God’s grace.

Allow God to minister the forgiveness and grace that you need.

Related Media

Related Sermons