DCLM Daily Manna 18 November 2021 — Humility: Password to Greatness
DCLM Daily Manna 18 November 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Humility: Password to Greatness
TOPIC: HUMILITY: PASSWORD TO GREATNESS
TEXT: Matthew 18:1-14
1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
KEY VERSE:
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – (Matthew 18:4)
MESSAGE:
Someone had said, “We are not everything, nor are we nothing. It is humility which created this understanding and keeps us in balance. Humility is the proof of self-mastery of having conquered the “I” and “my” which snare a person into the power game and games of manipulation.”
The question of the disciples as to who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven made Jesus illustrate with a little child. He told the disciples that they needed to be converted and become as little children. In addition, they must possess childlike humility to be the greatest in heaven. Children do not desire authority or regard outward distinctions. They are equally free from malice, teachable and dependent on their parents. Obedience to the word of God demands simple-mindedness which is mostly found in children. They tend to believe everything without argument. Children forgive and forget very easily.
Many Christians today allow pride and arrogance to dominate them. They forget that humility is a great Christian virtue. Jesus Christ admonished that we should humble ourselves as little children and have the mindset of a child in matters concerning the kingdom of God. He cares for children and His angels watch over them. Jesus said it is better for a person to be drowned with a heavy millstone around his neck than to abuse little children and face the judgment of God.
Christ wants us to accept His word like little children. It is only childlike acceptance that will make us enter the Kingdom. We are to accept His word, will, way, warning, wisdom and His watchmen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Humility elevates.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 25-28
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
