Bowing Low Enough

Focus: “If My people who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and heal their land”  —2 Chronicles 7:14

A rabbi was asked, “How come in the olden days God would show Himself to people, but today nobody ever sees God?” The rabbi replied, “Because nowadays nobody can bow low enough. Isn’t that an interesting truth . . . the lower we bow, the more clearly we see the Father!

God told the new king, Solomon, that if His people were to experience His presence and power they must first humble themselves. “If My people who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Humility is the opposite of pride and pride is the obstacle to revival because it puts self above God. For the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s life, self-will must be surrendered to God’s will.

Facing a fiery death, three Hebrew boys humbled themselves before God. Nebuchadnezzar taunted, “What God is there who can deliver you out of my hands” (Daniel 3:15). The young men calmly declared, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King” (vv. 16-17). That is bold faith, but it is their next claim that grabs my attention: “But even if He does not, let it be known . . . that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (v. 18). Are you that committed to Jesus? Do you have an “even if” if your spiritual vocabulary that will surrender to Jesus regardless the cost or consequences?

Surrender your will and desires to the Master. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a light on any pride that keeps you from bowing low enough to see the Father’s glorious face.

“For the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s life, self-will must be surrendered to God’s will.”