Humble

The word ‘humble’ is often misunderstood. It means pleasing. When one is humble he is pleasing to the mind and senses. Humility keeps peace and calm. Consider the lowly hyssop. It is a shrub that grows low to the ground. Yet it contains healing properties that helped our Savior while hanging on the cross.

John 19:28-30 :  Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

This is humility. An innocent man willing to face death to save mankind from evil. The hyssop appears at the cross to help Jesus speak one final breath to fulfill the Scriptures. The healing properties of hyssop are known to relieve sore throats, colds, and hoarseness. Naturally it loosened the grip of lock jaw our Savior suffered while hanging on that cursed tree. It freed his tongue enough for him to cry out, “It Is Finished!”

Psalm 22:15 :  My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue cleaves to my jaw. You put me into the dust of death.

There is great beauty in this love that the Son of God feels for our souls. He poured out His soul for our salvation.

Psalm 22:14 : I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 

But Satan wants to make the sacrifice of our Lord ugly and turn us away from our Savior in shame. When the devil strips mankind of their power, independence, and prestige, he destroys the grace and favor of humbleness. He puts his foot on the neck of the helpless and ridicules them. Satan portrays humility as unattractive and undesirable. He removes its flattering qualities so that people shun the humble character.

Psalm 3:34 : Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

Yet in humbleness there is no shame. In fact, the humble person wins the favor of their fellow man. The humble walk in kindness and take pride in respecting others. Elders and superiors he highly esteem. This charming deference enhances his attractiveness. He honors the less fortunate and is never ashamed to stoop down to admire the needy. His agreeable personality brings harmony wherever he goes.

Psalm 147: 6 : The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.

The meek shall inherit the earth. The meek and mild hyssop reminds us that Christ suffered and died to cleanse us from arrogance and pride. David said, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” When we humble ourselves we wear the clothing of Christ Jesus. Then we can be used by the Father to conquer the god of convenience. Imagine yourself holding a hyssop sprig. Now sprinkle the blood of the slain lamb over the doorposts of your heart. Then lower your pride and seek wisdom from above to tame your eating habits into submission to the will of the Father.

Proverbs 11:2 : When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Pray this prayer: “LORD humble me that I be not proud or haughty nor arrogant or assertive. Instead may I submit to Jesus Christ, my Savior. Bless me with your favor as I show love and mercy. You are my righteousness as I walk in the Holy Spirit. Reign in me, LORD. Please reign in me. Take control over idols and the god of convenience. Remove idols from my life as I humbly accept your leadership and authority in my decisions. LORD I take hyssop and sprinkle my heart with the blood of the lamb who died to free me from idolatry. LORD may I listen to and heed your promptings. In Jesus’ name I pray, “Yeshua Saves!”

Psalm 149:4 : For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.