That Christian Next Door

According to the English Standard Version translation of the Bible book of 2 Chronicles chapter 7 and verse 14, God said the following: “If my people who are called by my name 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.”

It is easy to begin to list all of the things that we think form part of a life lived under the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (as described in Romans 8 v 2) and to get carried away in doing so: we might say holiness, selflessness, love, gentleness, kindness, boldness, faith, no shame, freedom from fear, righteousness, peace or joy. And the list could continue if a person were minded to continue.

Ultimately though, in reality, all of any of that starts with humility: the willingness to come under the mighty hand of God, through Jesus Christ.

The Bible book of Psalm 110 verse 3 sheds some light on this. It serves as a prophecy about the impending Lordship of Jesus Christ and as a testament to the order that is enforced when it comes to the God of Heaven and Earth.

“The people shall be willing in the day of Thy power”

Psalm 110 v 3 KJV

So, in God’s plan for life, His power is present and felt in the context of humility. On one hand, humility invites the power of God. On the other hand, the mighty power of God subdues all to humility.

In the New Testament section of the Bible, 1 Peter 5 v 6 (ESV translation) puts it this way: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

Again, where the mighty hand is present, humility is present.

The reality of God, which is independent of our thoughts and experiences, is that His hand is always mighty. For one reason or another, at one time or the other, we may not appreciate the mightiness of that hand or of the plan being worked out by it. We may doubt the mightiness of the hand; even the existence of the hand. But there is no bending on the requirement.

We must humble ourselves. Under. Then we wait. Till the proper time, of which we have no input. At what point whatever exaltation we are to receive is given by God.

This is not an exaltation we foist upon ourselves because of our human power, wealth or wisdom. No! If we must meet Him, we must strip ourselves of all that. And from then on, we remain under. Whatever we had achieved, whatever becomes of us, we are His and all of it is owed to Him.

So, when by Him, we are made and remain holy, selfless, loving, gentle, kind, bold, full of faith, unashamed, free, fearless, righteous, at peace and joyful (and whatever else you may add), it is because we were first humble and have remained so.

To know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the most beautiful thing that could happen to a person. You can become a child of God today, a member of God’s family, a Christian by inviting Jesus Christ into your life to be your personal Lord and Savior. We have created this Salvation Prayer to help you with that. We hope you make this momentous decision.

God be with you.