30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 9-14 The journey of humility 03 Humble in God’s eyes
📖 Luke 18:9-14
11Sep2020 - *Humble in God’s eyes* - _Luke 18:9-14_ - THE JOURNEY OF HUMILITY 3 – Bible reading: _Romans 10:1-4_
_Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:_
God’s desire for us is that we be humble in His eyes, His eyes are on our heart. He knows our every inclination, every motive, every plan and secret agenda that emerges from our heart _(I Samuel 16:7/ I Chronicles 28:9 / Jeremiah 17:10 / Ecclesiastes 12:14 / Romans 2:16 / Hebrews 4:12-23 / I Corinthians 4:5)_. It is there, at the heart, that our Lord requires humility, that we are seeking Him to please Him.
Satan’s agenda will be to exalt ourselves. Sin is wrapped with the self. We see this in the temptation with which he tempted Jesus. _Luke 4:9-12 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. (10) For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU,’ (11) and, 'IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' " (12) And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.' "_
What was Satan trying to place in the heart of Jesus? If Jesus were to throw Himself from the pinnacle of the temple at Jerusalem and angels would bear Him up, what would it give Jesus? That’s right, immediate popularity. His ratings would go up. People would flock after Him. He could establish His ministry.
The Lord’s response to the devil’s temptation was, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD'. This was the devil’s point of fall, isn’t it? _Isaiah 14:12-14 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! (13) For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'_
Let us be warned, dear friends, that the devil’s trap will be to promote ourselves. Every time, we recognise the itch in us to promote ourselves, we must root it out, immediately. Promoting the self is devilish. Let us keep in mind that sin is wrapped with the self and that was why Jesus went to the cross. _II Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live *no longer for themselves*, but for Him who died for them and rose again._
Rooting out the self does not mean that we become a doormat and a weakling. King Josiah was no push-over as a king, but he was humble before God. _II Chronicles 34:27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD._
The principle for us is, _James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."_
This matter of the self is what has hindered and continues to hinder the Jews from receiving Jesus into their heart by faith and experience His grace. _Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; (31) but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. (33) As it is written: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME."_
Paul then shares his longing for his people, the Jews. _Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. (2) For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes._
*Thought to ponder*
```Is your heart open before the Lord, today?```