GO LOW

by Tammy Phillips
December 31, 2021

“Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.” (Ecclesiastes 10:6 NKJV)

If you know me, you know that the Holy Spirit gives me a guiding word each year.    I have been hearing, “go low…and slow,” for a while now.  I know that I need to slow down and spend more intimate time with Him, but what does “go low” mean?  According to Websters 1828 Dictionary, low means humble instead of high and lofty; reduce arrogance and self-dependence; meek and submissive to divine will; free from pride; to go deep; cry out.  It is time to take me out of the equation! 

If you know me well, you know my maiden name is Lowe.  Depending on my heritage, my last name could mean “at the low,” a locational name from someone who lived near a hill or my name could mean “a lion,” and a name was given to a brave or regal person.  In 2022 I suppose I am being called to live up to my name and to go low.  

Solomon says that folly and stupidity are promoted in this world, while the “rich” sit in a lowly, humble place.  I choose to abide in the low, meek, humble place in 2022.  I will learn what it means to “go low and humble myself.”

The word of God says:

“Be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” (1 Peter 5:5-6 NKJV)

1. Be clothed with humility.
   “To be clothed  was to wear the white scarf or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the vest and distinguished slaves from freemen. Therefore, 1 Pet 5:5, “gird yourselves with humility as your servile garb” encourages Christians to show their subjection one to another by putting on humility, humbleness, and lowliness of mind.” (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1463/kjv/tr/0-1/)
2. God gives grace to the humble and low

“But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:6, 10 NKJV)

3. Humble yourself under God
   Submit and lower ourselves to God. Serve in His kingdom. He will elevate us in due time. “He sets on high those who are lowly…(Job 5:11 NKJV)  “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:6, 10 NKJV)

“Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on…humility…” (Colossians 3:12 NKJV)

4. Put on Humility
   Sink into a deep sense of one’s moral littleness. Have a low opinion of oneself, and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God.

“Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3 NKJV)

5. Seek Humility
   Require; enquire; desire; request; seek to find, secure; seek the face; ask; request; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer)  Seek low instead of high and lofty.  Seek to reduce arrogance and self- dependence.  Seek meekness.   Seek and submit to God’s divine will.  Seek to be free from pride.  Seek to go deep.  Seek and cry out.

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4 NKJV)

6. Humility and fear of the Lord are richness, honor and life.
   “Humility is a proper view of self; fear of the Lord is a proper view of God. The person who has these two qualities is well on their way on the path of wisdom.” Blessing will come to the wise man or woman who has humility and the fear of the Lord. They can certainly expect spiritual riches and honor and life, and often those same things materially in this world.” -David Guzik, (https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Pro/Pro-22.cfm?a=650004)

“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ “” (Matthew 21:5 NKJV)

7. Jesus came in low and slow. We should, too.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”(Matthew 11:29 NKJV)

8. Learn from Jesus who is low and humble in heart. It is where we can find rest.

    

9. The kingdom benefits of being humble
   He regards the lowly.  (Psalm 138:6 NKJV)
   He guides the humble in justice and He teaches His way. (Psalm 25:9 NKJV)
   He lifts up humble. (Psalm 147:6 NKJV)
   He beautifies the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4 NKJV)
   The humble increase their joy in the LORD.  (Isaiah 29:19 NKJV) 
   He  does not forget the cry of the humble. (Psalm 9:12 NKJV)
   He saves the humble. (2 Samuel 22:28,Psalm 18:27 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to “go low and slow” in 2022.  “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:6, 10 NKJV).  He will save us, and don’t we need saving?  Doesn’t our land need saving?  Jesus is the humble man of 2022 and forever.  

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

Pray with me?

Father:  May we speak evil of no one, be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. May we be rich in You and sit in the lowly places. May we humble ourselves, pray and seek the face of God.  May we turn from evil.  May God forgive all our sins and heal us and our land.  In Jesus name. AMEN.

2022 word:          humble
2022 phrase:      go low and slow
2022 verse:         Ecclesiastes 10:6, James 4:10