Sermon # 15 - Stay Humble Series

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.” (GNB)

As we continue our study based on this verse we realized that God is indeed able to meet all of our needs, and lead us into overflowing abundance in every area of our life. If we do not use these blessings of God as we should, we will not be able to sustain it. Progress in life is vital, but it is up to us sustain it because if we are not careful we can lose it. Many who received God’s abundant blessings have lost much because of a little carelessness in their walk with the Lord. We need grace to maintain the blessings that God has showered on us.

We read about a king named Uzziah in the bible. His other name was ‘Azariah’ which means ‘God helps’. The name ‘Uzziah’ means ‘God is my strength.’ Help is one thing, but strength is another. We ask for help when we can’t do something. However, when God is our strength as the name Uzziah signifies means that we can do nothing without God. In many people’s lives God is ‘Azariah’ their help only when they are in need, and at other times they feel they can handle everything on their own. I wonder how many of us think of God as our ‘Uzziah’ the one who strengthens us, the one who leads us and without whom we can do nothing. Only when we come to that point will we truly receive the blessings of God.

Uzziah a young king

We read about Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:1, All the people of Judah chose Amaziah's sixteen-year-old son Uzziah to succeed his father as king. (GNB)

At sixteen years of age Uzziah is chosen as successor to the throne of his father Amaziah by the people of Judah.

We read in 2 Chronicles 26:8, “The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and he became so powerful that his fame spread even to Egypt.” (GNB)

Though Uzziah was very young, he became so powerful that his fame spread far and wide

The one who makes God his strength, who acknowledges that God is everything to them, such a man will most certainly increase in strength. We can sing that God is our strength, but it is important that we make this a reality in our lives. This means that we do nothing without seeking God and His counsel. Before we go to church we must pray, and ask God to speak to us through His word, because His word is our strength. Anyone who comes to church with such a prayer will hear God speak to them. God’s word and His presence strengthens us.

Let me pose a few questions that we can ponder on.

• What or who is your strength?

To some people they know some highly influential people, and they find their strength in the fact that they are well connected. There are others who have a high post in the government and their identity card can get them places. It is so important that as we get promoted to higher positions that we should choose to stay humble, because the Lord exalts those who humble themselves. It is human tendency that when we reach a certain position in life that we tend to think that we can do things on our own. Some people have a political party behind them from which they draw strength from. There are even those in ministry who get their strength from the reputed organizations they serve. Our strength should come from nothing or no one except the Lord Himself. The Lord alone should be our strength not the money we possess, the positions we have or the friends we know.

The Psalmist David says in Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid?” (ISV)

David was a mighty warrior, the one who slew the Goliath the giant, one in authority and an extremely talented man. It was this David who said, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life.’ David did not depend on his talents, his skills or his training, but His trust was in the Lord from whom He drew His strength. David underwent much hardship. He experienced disloyalty like no one else had, but the end of David’s life was glorious, only because he placed God above all else and made God his strength.

There are some who find their strength from their Dad or Mom. Just remember that the one who gave you your Father and Mother is the Lord above. Don’t every put your trust or find your strength in anyone or anything in this world. Our strength should not depend on our profession, our finances, our relationships, but must be on God alone. If God is our strength we can go through any trial or hardship and come out of it triumphant because the Lord will be with us.