What unlocks the door that has kept family members apart, church members at odds, and neighbors at each other’s throats?
What opens the gates of a city that has divided the races, cultures, ethnic groups, and the young from the old?
What is the instrument that tears down strongholds of injustice, prejudice, and hatred among brethren?
How do we see all Heaven has to offer; reconciliation, salvation, deliverance, healing, wholeness, and peace of mind (just to name a few), appear in our world, our city, even our own back yard?
Is there a key we may be overlooking?
Yes!
There IS a key that unlocks all Heaven has to offer. Jesus “used” it, demonstrating the power God really wants to release in and through our lives.
The key is humility. Not exactly something people want to shout about.
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 ESV)
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8 ESV)
“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33 ESV)
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV)
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)
“And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:18-21 ESV)
“…But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2 ESV)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10 ESV)
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11 ESV)
“And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” (Isaiah 2:17 ESV)
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18 ESV)
“He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:53 ESV)
Humility is NOT walking around with your chin on the ground, telling all you see what a worm you are. It is not self-abasement! It rather has a connection with truth, honesty, and an understanding of one’s place in the bigger picture.
Two important words that help describe humility are forgiveness and submission. I do not mean the humble are people who are weak and cowardly, always running from conflict and never able to defend their cause. Actually, humility is one of the strongest spiritual forces in the universe. It doesn’t have to rely on an over-inflated ego, a multitude of enforcers, an uncontrolled temper, or even loud and bombastic speech designed to elevate the speaker and diminish the listener. It rather relies on truth, and the inner knowledge that God is the great equalizer, and can be trusted in any and every situation.
Humility can be seen in the company of Love and Faith, and is recognized more by what it does or doesn’t do, instead of that it says, or doesn’t say. It is quick to yield to others, but can take the lead when necessary.
It can accept praise with a simple “Thank you”, or, “You’re welcome”, and not fret if the praise doesn’t come. It is secure in its relationship with love and truth; it never has to prove its ability by attempting to live larger than it really is.
It will embrace the weaknesses of others, adding its strength to the weak, without exploiting the weak or the fallen.
It is the key to a relationship with the Creator God, for it is the force that overcomes pride and selfishness. It submits to God, and the desires of God’s heart, even if it is uncomfortable at the time.
It will allow relationships to grow and become fruitful, for, like love, it is patient and kind, never seeking its own way.
Yes, it is the key to opening the windows of Heaven! Humility before The Lord and before one another is the key to seeing God’s power released like He desires.
The only way to enter the domain of the evil one, release the captives, and live to tell about it, is the way of humility.
Humility… The Key to unlock the city. Just ask Joshua…
Jan Grace 