1. The Climb Journey towards holiness Psalm 131 Psalm 131

2. Isaiah 57:15-19 For this is what the high and exalted One says— He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. For this is what the high and exalted One says— He who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry,

3. Isaiah 57:15-19 for then they would faint away because of me— the very people I have created. I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “ And I will heal them.”

5. Humility and Trust

6. “Humility is the obverse side of confidence in God” - John Baillie “Humility is the obverse side of confidence in God” - John Baillie

7. Matthew 6:31-34 Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

9. James 1:2-4, 12 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. … Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

10. Humility and Trust Humility vs. Pride “Humility is the obverse side of confidence in God, whereas pride is the obverse side of confidence in self.” - John Baillie “Humility is the obverse side of confidence in God, whereas pride is the obverse side of confidence in self.” - John Baillie

11. Eugene Peterson “It is difficult to recognize pride as a sin when it is held up upon every side as a virtue, urged as profitable, and rewarded as an achievement. What is described in Scripture as the basic sin, the sin of taking things into your own hands, being your own god, grabbing what is there while you can get it, is now described as basic wisdom: improve yourself by whatever means you are able; get ahead regardless of the price; take care of me first.”

12. Luke 18:9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13. Luke 18:9-14 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

15. James 4:6-8, 10 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will lift you up … Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

17. Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

18. Humility and Trust Humility vs. Pride Humility and Holiness

19. Andrew Murray The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is its lack of humility. Every seeker after holiness needs to be on his guard, so that, unconsciously, what was begun in the Spirit is not perfected in the flesh, and pride does not creep in where its presence is least expected. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, the other a publican. There is no place or position so sacred that the “Pharisee” can not enter. Pride can lift its head in the very temple of God, and make His worship the scene of its self-exaltation.

21. Philippians 2:6-7 Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

22. I Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.

24. I Samuel 7:18 “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord” and he prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far.”

26. Psalm 131, The Message God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart; like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. We wait for you, God. We wait with hope. Hope now, hope always!

27. The Climb Journey towards holiness Psalm 131 Psalm 131