Walking Humbly With Your God

He has shown you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

 

Recently a young man I know very well had an issue that arose.  We’ll call him “Chris.”  While he was away at college, Chris met a young lady.  Even though everything seemed to be going well and the young lady seemed to be sincere about her spiritual commitment, Chris decided to seek God about their relationship.  

 

Chris was called to preach when he was in his early teens and had been preaching revivals and special youth services for quite some time.  He knew that he needed to choose someone that had the same spiritual vision as he.

 

One day when Chris was home for the summer, he decided to stay in his room and fast and pray for an entire day.  He even left a note on the kitchen table and told his parents not to expect him for dinner because he would be locked in his room.  After his mother came home from work and saw his note she was concerned for him, but decided not to disturb him. That day Chris prayed and fasted, seeking after God’s will for his future.

 

The next day his mother said Chris came out of his room with a big smile on his face, confident that he had clearly heard from God and had his answer.  Soon that godly young man placed a call to a young lady several states away to break off their relationship.  

 

The testimony of this young man proves to me more than ever that prayer changes things.  But if prayer changes things, then how much more will prayer coupled with fasting give us the answer we seek?  Praise God that we can expect an answer when we humble ourselves with fasting and prayer to our God.  We can rest assured that He hears our prayer (Ps. 4:3) and sees our sacrifice. 

 

The key point is that it is imperative to humble ourselves before the Lord at certain times such as what Chris was going through. I believe, if we humble ourselves before Almighty God He will surely see to it that we will have our answer. 

 

Sometimes we search for long periods of time with no answer as to what to do in a certain situation because we haven't humbled ourselves before the Lord and sought after His divine will.  We may cry out over and over, “What is your will Lord?” But I Peter 5:5 tells us that God gives grace to the humble.  And when we pray, “Not my will, but thine,” God sees the humility in that kind of prayer.   

 

At times our situations can be so extreme that we realize that it will only take a miracle to get us through.  We realize that the only way for things to ever be normal again is for God to step in and move mightily.  In those times, we must humble ourselves before our great God and King through fasting and prayer.  If Jesus Himself fasted and prayed, so must we. 

 

There can be any number of reasons for fasting and prayer.   We can see examples of those who not only fasted, but prayed all through Scripture.  King David was familiar with the need for fasting and prayer.  At one point, he needed deliverance from false accusers so he cried out to God and said:

 

“O Sovereign Lord . . . out of the goodness of Your love deliver me.  For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.  My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.”  Ps. 109:21-24

 

Queen Esther was also familiar with fasting because she summoned the Jewish people of Susa to join with her for three days of fasting so she could safely go before her husband, King Xerxes, to save not only her life but the lives of them.  (Esther 4:15-16)  It is clear from Scripture that God came to the rescue because Queen Esther found favor in the eyes of the King and her and her people were sparred. 

 

There are times that I have felt that I needed to draw closer to the Lord.  Perhaps I’ve been at a spiritual dry spot and in need of my soul being refreshed.  It is at those times that I must push back the plate despite my hunger pains and tell my Father that I hunger more for His touch on my life.  I am assured that my God will hear me and see my sacrifice when I humble myself in that way.  If we draw near to God He will draw near to us.  (James 4:8)  

You may be in dire need of a miracle or someone in your family might be in a desperate situation. Perhaps you know if God doesn't intervene you’re just not sure what is going to happen.  But our God is able to help us my brothers and sisters.  He will hear the righteous when we humble ourselves before Him, whether we fast and pray or whether we humbly kneel before our faithful God with a fervent prayer, He will meet us there.  

 

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I Peter 5:6-7
 

 

Prayer:

Father, many times we turn and look within ourselves for the answer to our problems instead of seeking You.  Forgive us Lord, for leaning on our own understanding and not acknowledging You and being humble before You.  You will make our path straight and light our every pathway for the journey ahead.  You will bring us to cool, calm waters.  You will speak to every storm.  You are the Storm Calmer, the One who brings peace, the great Jehovah Shalom, mighty and able to save us.  Help us when we’re weak Father.  Help us make it when we don’t think we can. You will always be there for us.  We can make it with You as our Helper.  I adore You Jesus.  I adore You.  I lay my life before You O Lord.  In Jesus’ Name I humbly ask these things for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Amen.