Here are four major reasons humility is of such great importance:

First, humility is a natural response to a knowledge of the holiness of God. A young Christian leader in Romania said, "Humility becomes my natural state only as I recognize who God really is!"

Isaiah "saw the Lord" and humbled himself. Andrew Murray defined humility as "nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all. The holiest will be the humblest." John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). True humility comes only as we allow Jesus to be all in all.

Second, humility is the most exemplary characteristic of the nature and essence of Jesus. He is the truest expression of humility. Jesus was, is and always will be God. And yet at one point, He emptied Himself and became a man. He was called "Immanuel," God with us. The King of glory became the servant of men. He humbled Himself to the point of death, even death upon a cross. There's no greater illustration of humility in all of history. We must behold Jesus! As we see Him, we'll huger and thirst to become like Him. And to become like Him means to be humble, meek and lowly in heart.

Third, humility has historical significance in the life of the church. When the church humbles herself under the mighty hand of God, it results in dynamic growth, both spiritually and numerically.

The watchword of the great Welsh revival from 1902-1905 was "Bend the church and save the people!" On Thursday morning, Sept. 29, 1904, a young Welshman, Evan Roberts, and 19 friends went to hear an evangelist named Seth Joshua preach in a nearby town. Joshua prayed, "Bend us, O Lord, bend us."

The Holy Spirit did a deep work in young Roberts's heart. "I fell on my knees with my arms over the seat in front of me and tears flowed freely. I cried, 'Bend me! Bend me! Bend us!' "

Evan Roberts was a broken man. He began to live and understand, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." He understood what the apostle meant when he said, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me."

Evan Roberts soon brought a message that would ultimately be used to shake the nation. The message became known as "The Four Point":

1. Is there any sin in your past that you haven't confessed to God? On your knees to God!
2. Is there anything in your life that is doubtful? Away with it!
3. Do what the Spirit prompts you to do.
4. Publicly confess Christ as your Savior.

The gambling and alcohol businesses lost their trade, and the theaters closed down for lack of patronage. Football during this time was forgotten by both players and fans, though nothing was mentioned from the pulpits about the evils of football. In this country which had a reputation for being "football mad," the train for taking crowds to the international trial match was found to be almost empty! The people had new life and new interests. (The Invasion of Wales by the Holy Spirit by James Stewart)

What would it take to have such a revival in Western civilization today? "Bend the church and save the people!" And our individual cries must be, "Bend me, O Lord! Bend me! No matter what it costs!"

Such humility and brokenness is a fertile field for the seeds of a great awakening. The God of 1904 is the God of today and tomorrow. This generation could see the greatest revival in the history of the church.

Fourth, humility is the biblical condition laid down by God for revival. It's the first step toward revival, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. It's interesting that the flames of revival today are burning primarily in Third World countries. They don't have the technology or the organizational expertise of the West, but they do have the biblical condition necessary for revival. They have a simple and humble lifestyle.

Jonathan Edwards recorded the evidences of spiritual awakening in his treatise, Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God. He said there were five marks of genuineness in true revival:

1. It exalts Jesus Christ.
2. It attacks the kingdom of darkness.
3. It honors the Scriptures.
4. It promotes sound doctrine.
5. It produces an outpouring of love toward God and men.

J.C. Ryle stated that the language of the heart will always be that of humility with those who are used to destroy the kingdom of darkness. "Language like this no doubt seems foolishness and affectation to the world; but the well-instructed Bible reader will see it in the heartfelt experience of all the brightest saints."

To understand humility, we must know that it's not an outer characteristic but rather an inner attitude. Religious leaders during the time of Jesus attempted to impress people with their public prayers, fasting and dress. But Jesus recognized only humility of the heart.

The man or woman with the most humble heart will never know it. It's impossible to become proud of your humility. One of the young Romanian disciples told me, "Sammy, this thing of humility is paradoxical. The moment that I think I have found it, it eludes me." True humility is derived from a knowledge of God. The more we get to know Him, the more we're broken of pride and self-centeredness.

Humility is the most precious commodity of the church. It's more valuable than our buildings, our talents, and our programs. The church must have humility if the church is to have awakening.