Bible Study Lessons

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Series: The Prayers of the Righteous

Reference Scripture:  II Chronicles 7:14

 

Today’s Discussion:    “Four Steps to A Godly Solution – Step One: Humility”

The lesson aim is to explore the process for achieving god-ordained solutions.  More importantly, all believers must learn to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Reference: Matthew 4:3-4) 

King Solomon is the main character in this particular chapter of II Chronicles.  King Solomon is the son of David and the presiding king over God’s people, Israel.  Solomon was chosen by God to succeed David as king.  More importantly, Solomon was chosen by God to build a permanent edifice for the presence of God to inhabit on earth. 

Apparently, God is responding to Solomon’s prayer for God’s WILL to be done according to the promise given to David.   In HIS response God ordains four steps that will ultimately change the outcome of earthly situations through heavenly intervention. 

2 Chron 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall   humble themselves,”

God doesn’t leave room for speculation as to whom HE is referring as “my people”.  David writes in Psalms 24, “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein”.  This statement of truth proclaims that everything and everybody is subject to God.  However, David does not suggest that everybody has or is willing to submit to God.  The determining factor that validates this godly proclamation is God’s reference to “called by my name”.  Now, we can conclude that God’s people are those that can be linked to the Abrahamic covenant and the nation of Israel. (Reference: Romans 4:16-17)  According to I Peter 2:9, those have chosen to be crucified with Christ are also called by his name. [called - qara (kaw-raw) – to call out to; to address by name]

God identifies humility as the first step toward transformation. [Humble kana` (kaw-nah') - to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish:]  We must consider the order of these steps as god breathed.  Thus, humility is very important to the other steps being achieved.  The act of humility before the Lord can touch God’s heart and cause God to turn HIS wrath away from you. (Reference: I Kings 21:27-29)  Humility unleashes the power of forgiveness.  Humility softens the heart and tames the tongue of the righteous.  Humility tenders our hearts and causes us to be patient in trials and tribulation.  Humility is the door Christ used to become our greatest example on submission to the WILL of God. (Reference: Philippians 2:6-8)  God responds to those that are willing to “humble themselves”. (Reference: Isaiah 57:15; 66:2)  The Apostle Peter charges all believers to submit to the will and ways of God as a path to a better day and brighter tomorrow. (Reference: I Peter 5:5-6)

On the contrary, anyone that refuses to “humble themselves” can develop a “hardened heart”.  A hardened heart causes a person to walk in disobedience to God’s will, turn away from God, or contend with God as HIS enemy.

In conclusion, God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. (Reference II Peter 3:9b)  Humility opens the way for us to access God’s divine power to touch, heal and deliver. Humility is a “great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."