The Humility of God — Dean Stump

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In Jesus' name, welcome to the house of prayer. I really appreciated Brother David's message last Sunday on prayer. Meditating on that this week. It was much on my heart when Brother David called me and asked me if I would preach today.

Because I was in a mode of repenting at the time, I really saw my need and I was seeing my need in my own life. I just didn't feel like I was the right man to be in the pulpit this morning. I've often heard preachers get up and say to pray for them and then express their weakness or their smallness.

At times I think I've thought that, well, it's not necessary for them to say that. That maybe they should just preach their message and not say anything about that. Not that I don't believe in humbling ourselves.

But today I would like to join those preachers and ask you to pray for me. I do see a great need in my life. I see things that need to be changed. I see things that need to be changed in my family, in my wife, in my church.

And thank you, Brother David, for sharing with us that door this morning. What a sweet door it is to be able to clear the cloud over our life, to be able to clear the guilty conscience, to have our hearts set free.

Praise God for the wonderful grace of Jesus that's greater than all my sin. And it's greater than all your sin. And yet it's a responsibility. It's an awesome thing to get up and preach the Word of God.

The Call to Preach and the Need for Spiritual Sobriety

And sometimes you sit down and you realize, I'm preaching things I'm not even living. Or at least not in the fullness that I preached it. And it causes a real sobriety upon my life. And my tendency is to despair at times.

So I request that you pray for me. And young men, it won't be very long, and it will be your turn to stand up here and to preach the words of eternal life and what a privilege it is and Paul says that probably the greatest thing you can covet to do and long to do is to preach the everlasting gospel.

To preach the Word of life. To preach forth the mind and will of God. It's something to be ended. And I don't want to share in a way that makes it sound like it's a terrible thing to be standing up here.

And yet I would that you young men would get some sobriety in your life and purpose in your heart to put your roots down in Jesus Christ. To establish yourself in Christ. To establish yourself in His Word.

To, as Paul said, he lived his life. He endeavored to live his life with an open heaven, with a clear conscience before man and God. Learn to do that now. And someday you can stand here in this place and be effective for God.

When I was 10 years old, 12 years old, I would sit back there and I grew up in a brethren setting. And some of those brethren men could preach fiery messages. And the one that I probably heard more than any other is my Uncle Robert sitting back here this morning.

And many times when messages would be preached, my heart would burn. That seems like such a short time ago. And I think that even though I had the desire, that wasn't enough. So many things, so many foolishnesses along the way attracted my attention.

And steered me in a way that I should be much further along today than what I am. I should be further down the road or higher up the ladder, more mature. I should have a greater depth than what I do have.

I should have a greater knowledge of the Word of God. It takes more than a desire. We need to set our will. We need to live that life of repentance that Brother David talked about this morning. Well, that's not my message.

The Humility of God in the Birth of Christ

So, let's turn to Luke chapter 2. The title of my message is The Humility of God. The Humility of God. I'm going to read the account of Jesus' birth here, the first 24 verses of Luke chapter 2. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea. Unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem.

Because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. And laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them. Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.

Praising God and saying glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace good will toward men. And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven. The shepherds said one to another.

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass. Which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.

As it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child. His name was called Jesus. Which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished.

They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord. Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord.

And every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. The humility of God is something that in recent, I would say in the past year. Is something that has caught my attention.

That I have considered and pondered a number of times. We talk about the attributes of God. He is love. He is merciful. And I don't know how much you have pondered it. And saw this in scripture. But God is humble.

And I think I missed it many times. In my Christian life I didn't see it. So much that God is humble. Because I think I saw God as all powerful. And as the creator of the universe. And as the awesome God that He is.

And looked past the humility of God. And how humble God is. When God is telling Zachariah some things. In Zachariah chapter four. He says to him. And we'll go to that later. But I just want to use this here.

This saying in the beginning. But he says to him. For who hath despised the day of small things? Or it's like he's saying. Who hath despised the day of small things anyhow? Or why would you despise the day of small things?

And it's sort of like he's giving him a picture of his humility there. And because he's humble. Just like he's love. And just like he's all powerful. He's humble. And that just flows out of his nature.

Humility. In a sense he doesn't humble himself. He is humble. He is humility. Humility is a humiliation of mind. According to the Strong's. Modesty. Humbleness of mind or loneliness of mind. That's what the Strong says.

And the Webster says. It's a freedom from pride and arrogance. Humbleness of mind. And then. A modest estimate of one's worth. And then. A deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God. So.

I thought. To. Take a little. Tour through. Scripture. And point out some of the. Very clear instances that shows. And we're going to miss many of them. That shows the humility of God. That shows God's humbleness.

Of mind. That shows his modesty. Freedom from pride and arrogance. Even though he is all powerful. Even though he is all knowing. And. Even though. He's the creator of the universe and he. Spoke this world into existence.

And hold it together with the word of his power. He. Is humble. Of mind. And I hope to convince you of that this morning. If you don't believe that. And I chose to read from Luke chapter two. Here in.

In the opening. Because in my estimation. This is a perfect example of the humility of God. Here we have. God the son. Coming. To earth. Putting on the prison. Of flesh. And. Doing it. In the form of a baby.

And. Going through. The whole time. From conception to birth. In. Mary's womb. That speaks. Of a humility. That I only envy. That speaks of. A humbleness of mind. That. I must confess. I don't understand.

I haven't even reached it. I. I guess. Not that I think that I should have reached it by now. But I do want to. Strive for that. For. That which I have been. Called unto and we have each been called. To a humility of mind.

I don't know. What it's like for God. In the in the. Spiritual world that he dwells in that he lives in. But I know it is in a. More glorious. Much higher. Much. Greater place of freedom. Than what we know.

In our bodies of flesh. So therefore. It shows us a picture. A clear picture. Of the humility of God. Yes it does show us. A picture of the love of God. For God so loved. That he sent. But I think. Outside.

Of the fact that he was. Humble enough in his mind. He could never have bowed that low. He can't. He chose Mary. An insignificant young lady. Not insignificant in that she did fear God. She was a virtuous woman.

But insignificant. In the eyes of society. Insignificant in the fact that. It was obvious she was poor. She did not have much of. This world's. Goods or esteem among men. Joseph also. Obviously a poor man.

By the sacrifice that he made of the pair of turtle doves. Or two young pigeons here. It was the poor. That offered the pigeons. For their sacrifice. The humility. Continues in that. God said. No the inn.

Or a proper house. That's. That's too high. I want my son born. Where the animals are. And. I'm going to. Give the message to. The shepherds. Possibly the lowest class. In the society of that day. The shepherds.

Known to be. Not very trustworthy. And also. A job that. Not just anybody wanted to do. More of a lowly job. Not everyone. Was willing to. Or not just anybody was willing to. Humble themselves. And accept the life of a shepherd.

And. Most of them. Were just servants. Doing it. For their master. So. It all. Gives us a very clear picture. Of the humility of God. I thought of the humility of God. In creation. In forming us. Out of the dust of the earth.

He made us. In His image. And. He didn't choose. The most precious metal. That He also created. Which. As we know today of His gold. He didn't make us out of gold. Did He? These physical bodies. As far as the amount.

That they are worth. In today's society. Would probably only be a few pence. A few pennies. They're not worth much. They're made out of dust. And they're going to return to dust. He chose. For the. Making.

Of a person. Into His own image. He chose dust. He chose dirt. Most of us aren't even humble enough. To. Accept dirt. For most things that we do. We don't even want to. Build our house out of dirt. We at least want to use wood.

Or concrete. We don't like to work in the dirt. But God. Is humble. And. God does not despise. Small things. When. Elijah. Was. Looking for God. He was looking for Him in the whirlwind. He was looking for Him.

In the. The big things. In the great things. In the things that. As. Elijah. Would have thought would. Have been. Just made sense. For God to reveal Himself in. Because after all. He's all powerful. Why wouldn't He reveal Himself in.

Something big. Something great. Some great storm. But. No. It was a small thing. Just a still. Small voice. He told Zachariah. Not by might. Nor by power. But by my spirit. And I think that. Again He would say.

Just a still small voice Zachariah. After all. Who has. Who is despising the day of small things. I'm humble. God's. Telling Zachariah there I believe. Jeremiah. Forty five five. You seeking great things for yourself.

He says. Don't seek great things. Don't seek great things. Jesus said. And this is. Probably where. The inspiration has come. To me. That I have pondered the humility of God. Jesus said. I am me. And lowly.

You want to know. Who I am. You want to know. Who you're following. I am meek. And lowly. In heart. The very core. The very foundation. Of who I am. The very essence. Of my being. Is loneliness. And loneliness.

Christ's Meekness and the Humility Required of His Disciples

And he continued. To work with his disciples. And show them that by his example. Time and time again. He called a little child into his midst. And said. The person. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God.

Has to become. Just like this little child. As a matter of fact. He said. Unless you become like a little child. You can't even enter into my kingdom. And it's because. It takes humility. It's because he's saying.

I am humble. I am lowly in heart. You can't follow me. If you're not willing to humble yourself. You must be free. From pride. And arrogance. Well. The humility of God. Has to. Have an application for us.

It needs to be made practical. In our lives. And. Hebrews 6 verse 20. Talks about Jesus. Being our forerunner. And it's very clear. That Jesus. Was our forerunner. In this matter of humility. Jesus did not despise.

The day of small things. Jesus expressed. Humbleness of mind. Every step. From the time he was born. To the. Time he was crucified. He could have called. 10 ,000 angels. He could have called. 10 legions of angels.

Which I think is much more than 10 ,000 angels. Why not? Why didn't he? Because he was humble. Because. His humility. Brought about a. A. You know. We always talk about it. Because he loved you and I.

And he had his face set to go to the cross. It was out of love. But. You can't avoid seeing. The humility of mind. That was there. And aside from the. The fact that he was humble. He would have called.

Those angels. He would have just. Displayed some of his power there. And chose some other. Glorious. Or more powerful way to. Die for us. Some more miraculous way. He could have. But no. God is humble.

Zechariah's Vision and the Day of Small Things

And I'd just like to turn. Now to Zechariah. Chapter four. I'm going to read verses. One through ten. I'd like to. Try to make. The humility of God. Practical. In our lives. And the angel that talked with me.

Came again and. Waked me. As a man that is. Wakened out of his sleep. And said unto me. What seest thou? And I said. I have looked. And behold. A candlestick. All of gold. With a bowl. Upon the top of it.

And his. Seven lamps. Thereon. And seven pipes. To the seven lamps. Which are upon the top. Thereof. And two olive trees. By it. One upon the right. Side of the bowl. And the other. Upon the left side.

So I answered. And spake to the angel. That talked with me. Saying. What are these? My lord. Then the angel. That talked with me. Answered. And said unto me. Knowest thou not. What these be. And I said.

No my lord. Then he answered. And spake unto me. Saying. This is the word of the lord. Unto Zerubbabel. Saying. Not by might. Nor by power. But by my spirit. Sayeth the lord of hosts. Who art thou? O great mountain.

Before Zerubbabel. Thou shalt become a plain. And he shall bring forth. The headstone thereof. With shoutings. Crying grace. Grace unto it. Moreover. The word of the lord. Came unto me. Saying. The hands of Zerubbabel.

Have laid the foundation. Of this house. His hands. Shall also finish it. And thou shalt know. That the lord of hosts. The lord of hosts. Hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised. The day of small things.

For they shall rejoice. And shall see the plummet. In the hand of Zerubbabel. With those seven. They are the eyes. Of the lord. Which run to and fro. Through the whole earth. These seven. Candlesticks.

Or the seven lamps. On top of the candlestick. Are the eyes of the lord. That goes to and fro. Through the whole earth. Now. God is saying. Don't despise. Small things. As if. Zachariah was. Maybe tempted to.

Think that. You mean. You're using. These seven candlesticks. Your eyes. Going to and fro. Through the whole earth. Why couldn't you use. Lightning or. Something that's. More awesome. Something that will catch.

Everyone's attention. Make everyone stand at all. You mean you're using. Candles. Just seven. Lamps. Seven little lamps. To. Liken. Your eyes. Going to and fro. Through the whole earth. That's the. Picture that I get there.

So. We have a prophecy here. Of Jesus. Coming. And I'm not going to say. Much about that. Because. We're talking about the humility of God. And I'd like to. Capitalize here. On this verse ten. Who hath despised the day.

Of small things. First of all. I'd like to look at. The small things. In our own lives. Personally. Each one of you. Individually. Who. Hath despised the day. Of small things. Do you despise. The day.

Of small things. Are you. Unhappy. With how God. Is working in your life. Are you not satisfied. With the. Steps. Of faith. That you have taken. The grace that you have seen. In your life. Now. Yes. We need a holy dissatisfaction.

But. I have known. And have. Been. Tempted. Many times. Myself. Christians. Especially young Christians. Who. Spend a lot of time. In discouragement. Because I believe. They're despising. The way God.

Is working in their life. Some. When they are led to Christ. Say. Well. Is that all. Is that all I. Do or. Yes. Only believe. Yes. You cry out to God. You repent. You turn from your sin. And you. Put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Maybe it is a small thing. Maybe it seems like a small thing. And maybe it doesn't seem like. Some. Great big splash. From heaven. Over your soul. But don't despise it. Don't count it as no worth. And maybe.

You didn't get born again. I'm not saying just. A little prayer. And everything is all right. Maybe you didn't get born again. But don't despise God's. Grace in your life. God works in many ways. His.

Wonders to perform in our lives. And. Most times. He works. In a quiet way. And in a small way. There are times. Like in the apostle Paul's life. Where he was. Struck down to the earth. And blinded by the great light.

And God. Audibly talk to him from heaven. And the others around there. Heard him. Heard them speak. Heard him speak. But. Don't despise. The day of small things. Brothers and sisters. And young people.

Don't look for God. So much. In the lightning. Yeah. There are times. And we read of them. And we. Many times. We'll read the Bible. Or we'll read. Testimonies. Of men. Who. Was it Samuel Morris. Was.

Led out of Africa. By a light. That went before him. Came here to the United States. Was very effective. For the few short. Years. That he was here. Seemed like God just. Miraculously. Led him. And saved him.

With. Without anyone going to him. And preaching the gospel to him. You hear testimonies of the Chinese Christians. Different ones. That have miraculous things. Happen in their life. We sometimes. Think in our lives.

Because. Everything just seems. To happen normally in our lives. That. Well. Who am I? Well. Don't despise the day of small things. I want to encourage you today. To be faithful. To do. What you know to do.

And. Be done. With discouragement. Look at it. As sin. Repent of it. Go through that door. That brother David had up here. And. If you are to live. A life. In obscurity. So be it. Because. God doesn't despise.

The day of small things. God. Is. Humble. And. He knows. That. If he. Did some great splash in your life. You probably wouldn't be able to handle it. He wants you to walk before him in humility. So. Young believer.

Maybe you're just a baby in Christ this morning. And maybe your life seems. Pretty. Average. And. Maybe. Maybe there's sin in your life. That needs to be repented of. But. I'm. Assuming. That you're clear with God.

And. Keeping your heart and conscience. Free and clear. Before God. Walk in freedom. Walk in. Grace. Walk in. Trust. In faith. Trust him. Every day. Just trust him every day. When you get out of bed in the morning.

You put your trust in him. Maybe it doesn't seem like much is happening in your life. But you put your trust in him. Maybe it just seems like small things are happening in your life. But. I want to tell you this morning.

If you will walk. In simple. Childlike. Faith. And trust before him every day. And you start. Repenting. Of the sin. Of discouragement. Of the. Unbelief. Start looking for God. In the small things. I believe.

You'll have more to thank God for. Than you had any idea of. I think. You'll be able to soon say with the songwriter. As he counted his blessings and named them one by one. He was surprised at what God had done.

Not Despising Small Beginnings in Other Believers

The other. Thing I want to. Point number two. I guess. Is. To not despise. The day of small things in others. Don't despise others. Maybe they're a baby in Christ. Maybe they haven't come to Christ. Maybe we think they should have come to Christ already.

And haven't. Well. And I guess this goes more for those. Who are. Mature. Maybe you have been a Christian 20 years. And because of the. Because of the. Way that we're prone. In the. Part of our nature.

To. Become proud. Maybe we think. We're mature. And. And I trust that if you're a Christian 20 years. You do have some maturity. But. Don't despise the day. Of small things. Don't despise the babes in Christ.

Don't despise those who. Have just begun. Learn how to come alongside of them. Learn how to. Bring yourself down to their level. And. See them where they are. And reach out a helping hand to them. If you're further up the ladder.

Learn how to reach down. And grab their hand. And pull them along up. Don't despise them. Look for. Baby steps of grace in their life. Now. I'm not saying they never need to be admonished. But. If you do it in the spirit of despising where they are.

It won't bring forth fruit unto righteousness in their life. You're going to. Discourage them. And sometimes we do need to admonish. And people. Can be offended when we admonish. But be careful. That you don't have.

That attitude. Of. Superiority. And that. I'm up here. And I don't understand why you're not up here. What's wrong with you? Why haven't you come along? Why aren't you. Getting free from that. Besetting sin.

There's a verse. I. Think it's in Jeremiah that talks about remembering the rock. Or the pit from which you were hewn. Remember you were a baby at one time. And think about. The people. That influenced you.

In a right way. Think about how they. Took you under their arms. And the patience they had for you. Don't despise the little ones. If you offend one of these little ones. Jesus said. It's. Better for a millstone to be hung about your neck.

And to be cast into the sea. To be drowned in the depths of the sea. Those are sobering words for us this morning. Brothers and sisters. God calls us to a. Humbleness of mind. A modesty. A modest estimate.

Of our own worth. Many times. And probably. Maybe it's all the time. The reason. We would despise others. Comes out of us having a higher. Estimate of our own worth. And value. Paul said. I know both how to be abased.

And I know how to abound. He had learned. To humble himself. And to live in a place of humility. Before God. When that humility. When he was being tempted. It seems he early caught himself. That. That is an attitude of pride.

That thought is an attitude of pride. That is not right. And he would turn. He would repent. He would use that key. That brother David talked about. And. As he would do that. He learned. Both how to be abased.

And how to abound. Without becoming proud about it. He also learned. Not to despise. The day. Of small things. In others. I'll just. Read a couple of scriptures here. In Philippians. In Philippians chapter one.

Verse. Twenty three. He says. I am in a straight. I'm in a hard place. Between. Two. Between two ways. Having a desire to depart. And to be with Christ. Which is far better. Nevertheless. To abide in the flesh.

Is more needful for you. So. He didn't just live out. His old age. In retirement. In retirement. Enjoying his. His. All the extra free time he had. He spent his time. With the babes in Christ. He spent his time.

Discipling others. He lived. The only. The only reason. He had any desire. To stay here. Was. So that. His people. Those who he had led to Christ. Those who were coming to Christ. Could be discipled. Could be ministered unto.

He didn't despise. The day of small things. He said here. In Philippians. One verse six. He was confident. Of this very thing. That he which hath begun. A good work in you. Will perform it. He knew. That even though.

God. Sometimes works in small ways. And. And I would say. That for the most part. Works in a way. Without causing. A lot of. Publicity. Or a lot of. Esteem among men. That's the way God usually works in our lives.

Because he knows what we're made of. And he knows that. If. He was to do some great work in our life. It would be to many of our. Many of us. It would be to our demise. So don't despise. The day of small things.

Let's. Walk with God. In humility of mind. Let's let the humility. Of our God. The humility of Jesus. Provoke us. To humility. In our lives. And one more point. Before closing here. As I see. This matter of small things.

Faithfulness in Money, Time, and Everyday Details

In the practical. Side of our lives. In our everyday lives. There is a. Tendency. For us to. Become generalized. In our lives and. And have the attitude of. Disclassifying things as. Small and insignificant.

When I. When I look at. The way. Christianity. Evolved. Over the generations. And seemingly just a few generations. There are many things. That. Has been shrugged off as. It doesn't matter. It's just a small thing.

It only says it one time in the Bible. Or. Let's. Let's just concentrate on the love of God. The big things. You know the. The redemption of. God for mankind and. And let's just. Preach that Jesus died to save.

Sinners and. These other things they just. Are insignificant. Well I would say that God says to us. Don't despise the day of small things. In the matter of. The way we live our lives. The way we spend our money.

What we do with our free time. Those small opportunities that we have. Maybe it's just ten minutes. But it could be ten minutes reading our Bible. Or just ten minutes. Flittered away. Into nothingness.

It could be ten minutes that we could have called someone in. And encourage them not to give up. Encourage them to look unto Jesus. Or it could be just ten minutes that. Is wasted. Many of us have those.

Small things in our lives. Small opportunities. A small word here. A small thing there. Well maybe it is a small thing. But remember. God has given some attention to detail. And where he has given attention to detail.

You give attention to detail. He says we're to redeem the time. And you can spend a whole lifetime. On that one. He says. In the. The direction that the Apostle Paul. Gives to Titus and Timothy. Many specific things there.

And. We're not going to. Go into the details of them. But. When I. Think about the humility of God. And the. Attention. To the small things. Of life. I'm reminded. Of the. Way that we live our lives. It does matter.

You think. No one notices. You think. It doesn't really matter. But. In the sum total. Of your life. Those things. Do play. A big part. The humility. Of God. Does not mean. That he was defeated. Just because he didn't call.

All those angels to his rescue. Didn't make him defeated. Just because. He risked. Being born. Of a virgin. And going through the accusation. Of being. A bastard. Didn't make him. Defeated. Didn't change the truth.

Didn't change the. The whole picture. As we see it now. And. The greater picture. As you look back now. Over the whole scene. God is still God. He's still all powerful. And every knee is going to bow.

And confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To the glory of God the Father. Just because. God is humble. Doesn't change. Doesn't make for defeat in his life. And neither does it for you in your life. It's okay.

For you to say no. Boys. In the midst of your friends. Maybe it seems like. Oh, it's just a little thing. Doesn't matter if I. Laugh at their joke about that. But those things do matter. Those little things make a big difference.

In where you are. Five years down the road. It's the little things. Ezra 8. Closing here. 21 and 23. Ezra chapter 8. Humility. How do we. Become humble. How do we overcome. This tendency to pride in our life.

This arrogant attitude. This. I can do it myself. This. Feeling of superiority to others. And this. Attitude of. It doesn't matter. How do we overcome it? Ezra. Here faced. A hard time. In his life. Then I.

Proclaimed a fast there. At the river of. That we might afflict ourselves before our God. To seek of him. A right way for us. And for our little ones. And for all our substance. For I was ashamed. To require of the king.

A band of soldiers and horsemen. To help us against the enemy in the way. Because we had spoken under the king. Saying. The hand of our God. Is upon all them for good. That seek him. But his power and his wrath.

Is against all them that. That forsake him. So we fasted. And besought our God for this. And he was entreated of us. So. The reason I. Bring this out is that. Maybe you find yourself. Against. Up against it.

In a hard place. Well. Humble yourself. This proclaiming a fast. Has everything to do with humility. It has to do with. Rather than. Saying. Oh. As Ezra had already. Proclaimed to the king. That. His God was able.

To deliver them. From the hand of their enemy. And now they were in a. Hard time. And rather than to. Let pride and arrogance. Step into the way there. He could have said. Well. You know I've. I've said this.

And. I'm just. I'm going to stand on that. And. And he could have been defeated there. He could have. Become proud in his. Made this statement there of. Confidence in his God. That he made to the king.

That could have been perceived as pride. Or it could have. Become pride in his heart. But then when. A need arose. He humbled himself before God. He fasted. And he called a fast. And. They cried out to God.

And God did see them through. And God will see you through. And he will. Give you grace. And he will. Empower you by the Holy Spirit. Just like he does. Just like he did the apostle Paul. And all of those who.

It may look to you like. God did great things in their life. Well. God will also do great things in your life. But. One. Little thing at a time. Don't despise.

The day of little things. Praise the Lord. I appreciate those words for the dean. The humility of God. Do we forget the. That that is a strong. And clear attribute of God. That. We are to follow. And is a tremendous example for us.

In our Christian life and experience. Made himself of no reputation. Took upon himself. The form of a servant. Humble himself to death. Even the death of the cross. And then many Christian men. Demand their rights.