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REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is “God dwells with the humble” To be humble means having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance. John the Baptist defined humility or what it means to be humble when he said “He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30). God dwells with the humble means those who are submissive to the Lord shall experience His glory. In other words, when become less or decrease in the presence of the Lord, we experience His greatness and glory in our lives. We shall reflect on the fact that for God to dwell with us we must demonstrate humility through repentance and reverence for His sovereignty over our lives.

In Isaiah 57, Israel is warned about God’s impending judgment on the nation. Those who worship idols and are disobedient to God will be punished or will face the wrath of God. However, those who fear God, humble themselves, have a repentant heart and acknowledge the sovereignty of God over their lives will experience His glory or presence in their lives. “And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created.” (Isaiah 57:14-16)

Humility is acknowledging that God is Sovereign and worthy of reverence even as we return to Him through repentance and regeneration. God dwells with those who acknowledge His Lordship over their lives and return to him in humility after they have gone astray. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11-32, teaches us that if we humble ourselves and demonstrate sincere repentance and return to God, we shall dwell with Him just as the prodigal son returned home and his father wholly welcomed him and restored him to the status of son. In other words,  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). God will not dwell with us when there is sin and pride in our lives. It is for this reason Peter admonishes us that “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16) In other words, to be humble means acknowledging that we have sinned against God, repent and invite Jesus our Lord and Saviour into our lives to dwell with us and make us holy and acceptable to God so that we will become His children.

To stay humble and experience the presence of God in our lives,  we must be in communion with God through humility or total submission by living according to His will or His Word. We are greatly admonished to “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-10).

It is important to add that our humility to God must also reflect in our relationship with our fellow human beings. Humility is one of the cardinal Christian virtues hence Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and said to them “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17). How humble are you as a pastor, catechist, presbyter, elder, or group leader in your church? How humble are you as a Christian boss or leader at your workplace or in your community? How humble are you as a husband, wife or child? God dwells with us and blesses us when we demonstrate the perfect example of Jesus’ humility. God does not only dwell with those who are humble but He also rewards them. It is for this reason we are assured that ” Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honour and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “God dwells with the humble” We have discovered that for God to dwell with us we must demonstrate humility through repentance and reverence for His sovereignty over our lives. Shalom.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, strengthen us to follow Jesus’ perfect example of humility so that we will always experience the glory of God in our lives. Amen.