Psalm 146:8 (NKJV): ...The Lord raises those who are bowed down...
The word 'bowed' here is 'kaphaph' in Hebrew, having the same root word as 'kaphan', which means 'to hunger for, to yearn for, or to stoop (lowering down) humbly in emptiness (before God)' in the context of the verse above.
Proverbs 22:4 (NKJV) says, 'By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life'. Here, the word 'humility' is 'anavah' in Hebrew, which means 'condescension (i.e. lowering oneself), modest and meek (before the Lord)'.
See the words 'lowering down' and 'lowering oneself' in the above paragraphs? By the way, humbling (or lowering) oneself before God is first and foremost inward (in the heart), instead of an outward religious act. So here, it isn't so much about bowing down one's head (or body), but bowing down one's heart.
1 Peter 5:5-6 (NKJV) says, "...'God resists the proud, but gives grace (i.e. His supply, His ability) to the humble'. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time."
According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word 'humble' here is 'tapeinoo' in Greek, which means 'to lower oneself, to bring low, to abase (before God), to be humiliated in circumstances or in disposition'. See the words 'lower oneself' again?
From the above, you can also see there are two ways to humble:
1. In circumstances, i.e. when one is forced to be humbled by circumstances.
2. In disposition, i.e. when one chooses to humble now (or places oneself to humble now).
In fact, some of you are even led to go into a time of fasting. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and help you as you fast. Take this time to worship, meditate on the Word of God, and pray in the spirit. As a believer in the New Covenant, just remember that you don't fast to try to earn (or strive for) God's merit or favor. In Christ, you already have God's favor (because of what Jesus Christ has done for you on the cross). One good reason to fast is so that your flesh can be 'tamed' (or 'humbled'), and your spirit can be 'sensitized' to hear from Him clearly again. In short, your spirit will have the 'upper hand' over your flesh (or the flesh's desires) as you fast.
James 4:6-7 (NKJV) says, "But He gives more grace (i.e. more of His supply, His ability). Therefore He says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
You see, He is a God who always wants to give us grace (and more grace). The key is to humble ourselves before Him. The word 'submit' here is rather interesting. It is 'hupotasso' in Greek, which can mean 'to subordinate (for He is superior), to be obedient to Him, or to be subjected to Him' in the context of this verse.
So, to humble before God is also to obey (or follow) all His instructions and directions for your life (even above all your own ways). And when you allow yourself to be subjected to Him, you will not be subjected to the devil. These are antagonistic. When you have one, you won't have the other. Therefore, if you choose to be subjected to Him, the devil has no choice but to flee from you.
Recently, I heard these words during a time of prayer:
"This is a time to humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. There is a call for such. As you humble, you will receive new strategies for the months ahead. Some of you will also receive directions and instructions to re-strategize, to approach things in a new way, and to see or do things in a new way. A time to give Him your own confidence in the flesh, thinking that you can do it by your own strength or intelligence. A time to also let go of the things that you thought you know so well, the ways that you have always known, even the old things that you hang on to."
He is indeed shaking His Body at the moment (and this will eventually rub off on the nations) to prepare for His Coming. Whatever that can be shaken will be shaken. He is shaking every work of the flesh in His Body (the Church), every 'man-made' way, or things/structures/systems that are not from Him. But take heart. As long as we are willing to be corrected and stay humble before Him, He will surely work in us and through us for His glory in this end-time. Amen.
