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Devotions > Humility, Wickedness, and Prayer


14 Aug 2012

 

Yesterday the Lord brought to mind these words: Humility, Wickedness, and Prayer.   How do these things fit together?

Before we attempt to address this question we should reflect on our current culture particularly as it relates to humility.   Our culture has brought humility down from its high and honored status proclaimed in the word of God to a place about midway down on a high hurdle.   Humility or a reference to the fruit of this quality is rarely found on a resume.   It is hardly ever the topic of the water cooler discussions. And more tragically humility is very infrequently a key characteristic sought as we consider the selection of leadership in our churches.

The bible is very clear that humility is one of the human character traits thatmost pleases God.                 God says that He dwells with the humble!

Isaiah 57:15 (AMP)
15 For thus says the high and lofty One—He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent [bruised with sorrow for sin].

There is considerable biblical evidence that wickedness is very closely related to pride or arrogance. 

Psalms 10:2-4 (AMP)
2 The wicked in pride and arrogance hotly pursue and persecute the poor; let them be taken in the schemes which they have devised.
3 For the wicked man boasts (sings the praises) of his own heart’s desire, and the one greedy for gain curses and spurns, yes, renounces and despises the Lord.
4 The wicked one in the pride of his countenance will not seek, inquire for, and yearn for God; all his thoughts are that there is no God [so He never punishes].

Yet in our high pitched everyday lives saturated with steamy T V, high-spirited Sports, and struggling rivalries in the work place, pride has weaseled its way into pretty high ratings.    God is not mocked; He is very clear regarding His perspective on pride and wickedness.

 Proverbs 8:13 (AMP)
13 The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.

We must learn to hate pride and arrogance if we are to see things in truth as God sees them. [ one key strategy is to pray for God to give us a passion for His glory ]

Proverbs 15:8 (NASB77)
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Proverbs 15:29 (NASB77)
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

The Bible speaks clearly:  the Lord dwells with humble and hears their voice, but in contrast He is far from the wicked.    It is also clear from the texts above that wickedness can be a significant cause for unanswered prayer.

In II Chronicles 7:14 we again see the idea of humility and wickedness connected with prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

In light of these passages it seems that perhaps we should ask ourselves the following questions:

  1. How intentionally and accurately do I seek to identify pride/wickedness in my life?
  2. How strong is my passion to bring glory to God alone?
  3. Are my prayers more about my needs or things on God’s heart?
  4. Do I pray regularly for revival and the healing of our land?

If we honestly ask these questions in an attitude of prayer without doubt the Lord will give us insight regarding places where we can grow and deepen your relationship with Him. 

Jeff Williams