DEVOTION ~ SERVE IN HUMILITY

Theme: Serve in Humility

Text: 2 Kings 22:8-13

⁸ Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. ⁹ So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the Lord.” ¹⁰ Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. ¹¹ Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. ¹² Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, ¹³ “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

Humility is the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance. Humility is well displayed when we are put in position even though, without occupying positions we can still be down to earth to show forth the Christ-like nature in us. In today's text, we will be looking at three key people and how they served in humility: Hilkiah the high priest, Shaphan the scribe and king Josiah.

The high priest was asked to count the money in the treasury and hand it over to those repairing or renovating the House of the Lord. He did as was expected of him. In doing so, he took note of the books (books of accounts and relevant books in the House of the Lord). Amazingly he chanced on the Book of the Law. He would have ignored Shaphan and handed over the Book of the Law to the king but, in humility he showed it to Shaphan. Dear beloved in the Lord, if our serving is to make name, we will miss the mark of divine lifting. Let's learn from Hilkiah to serve cordially with others.

Shaphan carried out his duty by delivering the king's message to the high priest. When the Book of the Law was found, it was given to him and he read it. Reading is important in serving. It gives us knowledge of what we are, the wisdom of how to live our lives and the understanding of what will become of us if we keep to the ethics. He also did what most of us are unable to distinguished in our line of service. Before he showed the Book of the Law which is very important to the king, he first gave word of what he was asked to do. No matter how important a message you've chanced on is, do well to perform your initial task before indulging in it. It is an act of humility honoring your superior or whoever have assigned you the task.

Shaphan made known to the king, what Hilkiah had found in the House of the Lord. He read the Book of the Law to king Josiah. King Josiah was moved by the words he heard. He tore his clothes to symbolized humility before God and to show regret for not abiding to His Word. When our sins are made known to us, we need to accept it without hesitation. The needful must be done by seeking the face of the Lord and asking for forgiveness. King Josiah feared the wrath of the Lord on the sons of disobedience. Are we also conscious of the wrath of hell that awaits those who do not accept Jesus as Lord? In our homes, workplaces, community, ministry, etc, are we alarmed of the consequences of not keeping to the ethics? We need to rise up like king Josiah and act promptly. Don't be pompous in the capacity you're serving, rather serve in humility to the glory of God. 

Prayer: O God, the arrogant You bring low and exalt the humble. Renew and transform my heart and mind to this truth. I ask the Holy Spirit to stir in me the spirit of humility. May I seek the good of others above my will. Help me to work in harmony with all in whatever capacity I serve be it as a husband/wife, child, church leader, manager, business partner, etc to reveal Your glory to the world. This I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN!