Angels of Humility: A Novel

by Jackie Macgirvin

  “Well done, Sarah, My good and faithful servant. Well done, indeed. You may enter into the joy prepared for those who love Me,” He said, pointing to an ornate pearl gate that went higher and farther than she could see. “Let Me show you the mansion that I have carefully and joyfully prepared for you.14 I’ve been longing for this day when I could finally give it to you.”

  Malta and Joel went before them and pushed open the massive gates. Jesus offered Sarah His arm and, staring deeply into His eyes of love, she grasped it. Together they walked under the massive arch. Jesus pointed down to the pure gold, transparent as glass. Sarah laughed, “It’s the heavenly pavement. What a revelation that was!”

  Then her attention was drawn away from the beautiful walkway by voices—the happiest, most excited and ecstatic she has ever heard. Hundreds of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation run over the top of a grassy knoll, celebrating. They were jubilant—waving, leaping, laughing—and some were holding hands. Every face was a reflection of pure joy.

  They must be angels coming to greet the Lord, but they don’t have wings. Sarah was in awe, staring at their beauty and grace and especially their overwhelming, contagious joy. She immediately laughed, finding it impossible not to be swept up into their delight.

  “No, Sarah, they’re not angels; they’re part of My beautiful bride, and they’re not coming to see Me right now; they’re coming to see you,” He said as He and the angels stepped aside.

  “Me, but Lord—” and then the jubilant group swarmed around her. The first three to reach her were a young Jewish man, a woman from Thailand, and a grandmotherly looking Haitian named Edwidge, who all threw their arms around her. The whole crowd was excitedly speaking over the top of each other in their own languages, yet she could simultaneously hear and understand even those at the back and the hundreds in-between.

  With fervent gratitude and intense passion, they all said the same thing, “You don’t know me, Sarah, but on the day I died, you prayed, and the Lord’s great mercy saved me from the enemy’s kingdom!” They clamored to thank her with exuberant hugs and kisses through their laughter and their tears. From the center of the throng, embracing a woman from the Cook Islands, Sarah thought, I love each of these dear ones more than I ever thought possible.

  Jesus nodded to three remaining figures waiting on the knoll. With elbows linked, George, Pastor Paul, and Reverend Templeton hurried down the hill to welcome Sarah.

  Malta and Joel stood on either side of Jesus, all three with their arms around each other’s waists, reveling in the first glorious moment of Sarah’s many eternal rewards. They look on like proud parents, tears running down all of their cheeks. Jesus’ sweet voice sang out again, “Well done, Sarah, My good and faithful friend. Well done!”

  ENDNOTES

  Epigraph

  1. William Cowper, quoted on www.wholesomewords.org/devotion2.html (accessed August 23, 2010).

  Chapter 1

  1. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, quoted on http://quotationsbook.com/quote/19635/ (accessed August 3, 2010).

  2. See Psalm 116:15.

  Chapter 2

  1. John MacArthur, quoted on http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg2198.htm, (accessed July 30, 2010.

  2. See Romans 3:23.

  3. See Romans 6:23.

  4. See Matthew 18:14.

  5. See John 3:16.

  6. See Romans 6:23.

  7. See Hebrews 7:26–28.

  8. See Isaiah 64:6.

  9. See Proverbs 16:18.

  10. See James 4:6.

  11. See Philippians 2:8; Matthew 20:28; John 15:13.

  12. See Luke 15:10.

  13. See Revelation 5:9.

  14. Zephaniah 3:17

  15. See Luke 5:16.

  16. See John 5:19.

  17. See James 4:6.

  18. See Luke 14:11.

  19. 1 Corinthians 3:15

  20. See Revelation 22:12; Matthew 25:1–30.

  21. Lambert Dolphin, “Description of the Spiritual Gifts,” http://ldolphin.org/Spgifts.html (accessed July 26, 2010).

  Chapter 3

  1. Saint Augustine, quoted on http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/humilityquotes1.htm (accessed August 21, 2010).

  Chapter 4

  1. Frank Bartleman, unknown.

  2. See Proverbs 18:6–8.

  3. See Proverbs 25:22–23.

  4. See Proverbs 25:17–18.

  5. See James 1:26.

  6. See Matthew 6:18.

  7. Maria Robin, quoted on http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/orthopaedic-residency-the-attending-perspective.html (accessed August 23, 2010).

  8. See Revelation 1:1–3; John 1:47–51; 4:6–30, 39–42; Matthew 8:14–17.

  9. See 2 Corinthians 14:3.

  10. See 1 Corinthians 14:1.

  11. See Genesis 37:5.

  Chapter 5

  1. Kenneth Cope, Heaven Don’t Miss it for the World, (Lightwave, 1988).

  2. Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2001), 17.

  3. Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, (Sisters, OR: Multinoma Publishers, Inc., 2001), 17.

  Chapter 6

  1. F.B. Meyer, quoted on http://twitter.com/venablethree (accessed August 19, 2010).

  2. John Flavel, quoted on http://www.seegod.org/humility.htm, (accessed August 20, 2010).

  3. See Romans 8:37.

  4. See Hosea 4:6.

  Chapter 7

  1. C.S. Lewis, quoted on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/transcript/spirits.

  html, (accessed August 19, 2010).

  2. See 1 Corinthians 13:4–7.

  3. Michael Sullivant, prophetic dream, Metro Vineyard Fellowship, 2001.

  Chapter 8

  1. F.B. Meyer, quoted on http://www.seegod.org/humility.htm. (accessed August 23, 2010).

  2. See Matthew 25:34–36.

  3. See Hebrews 6:10.

  4. See Matthew 25:37–40.

  Chapter 9

  1. Bobby Conner, sermon, Christ Triumphant Church, 2002.

  2. See Galatians 5:16.

  3. Aaron Pierson, Humility, What We Lack! What The Lord Is, The True Treasure (self published), 7.

  4. Joyce Meyer, Enjoying Everyday Life broadcast, 2007.

  Chapter 10

  1. Bernard of Clairvaux, quoted on http://catholicexchange.com/2010/08/02/132941/ (accessed August 20, 2010).

  2. See Mark 16:17.

  3. See 1 Corinthians 14:18; 1 Corinthians 14:4–5.

  4. See Acts 2:1–4.

  5. If you don’t speak in tongues, stop and ask for this extraordinary gift now. The Holy Spirit will provide the words, but you must provide the mechanics of speech. Don’t just open your mouth and wait silently. You must use your lips and tongue and push the air through your voice box. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you this gift; then begin praising the Lord in your own language and this wonderful gift will come.

  Chapter 11

  1. St. Augustine, unknown.

  2. See Matthew 9:38.

  3. See 1 Kings 18:41–45.

  4. See Daniel 10:10–14.

  5. See 2 Kings 20:2–6.

  6. See Exodus 33:2–3, 12–17.

  7. See Genesis 18:20–33.

  8. See 1 Peter 5:7.

  Chapter 12

  1. Joseph Addison, quoted on http://www.icelebz.com/quotes/joseph_addison/ (accessed August 20, 2010).

  2. Isaac Watts, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” published 1707, public domain.

  3. See 2 Timothy 2:2–3.

  4. See Psalm 23:5.

  Chapter 13

  1. Frank Bartleman, http://lighthouse-of-hope.org/Pages/Articles/ordinary.htm) (accessed August 22, 2010).

  Chapter 14

  1. Adam Clarke, quoted on http://www.freequotesomg.com/famous_quotes_topics/Pride

  _Quotes/ (accessed August 22, 2010).

  2. James M. Barrie, quoted on http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/sacrifice/index.html, (accessed August 22, 2010).

  3. See Esther
4:14.

  Chapter 15

  1. Bill Treasurer, http://www.eonetwork.org/knowledgebase/specialfeatures/

  Pages/CourageistheKeytoGreatLeadership.aspx, (accessed on August 23, 2010).

  2. Malachy McCourt, quoted on http://www.quotegarden.com/anger.html, (accessed August 22, 2010).

  3. See Romans 8:11.

  4. See Matthew 18:23–34.

  Chapter 16

  1. David Mallet, quoted on http://www.quotesdaddy.com/author/David+Mallet (accessed on August 22, 2010).

  2. Joyce Meyer, http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/Meyer_

  ChoosetobeChanged.aspx (accessed August 22, 2010).

  3. See Isaiah 53:3.

  4. See Isaiah 53:4.

  5. John Marquez, “Phase 3 Turbo,” Christ Triumphant Church, 2008.

  Chapter 17

  1. Andrew Murray, quoted on http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/humilityquotes1.htm (accessed August 21, 2010).

  Chapter 18

  1. Bobby Conner, sermon, Christ Triumphant, 2005.

  2. John Paul Jackson, unknown.

  3. Terri Sullivant, prophetic word, Home Group, 2005.

  4. See Luke 10:38–42.

  5. Shawn Bolz, The Throne Room Company (North Sutton, NH: Streams Publishing House, 2004), 13.

  Chapter 19

  1. Andrew Murray, quoted on http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/5f00.0565

  /5f00.0565.10.htm (accessed August 20, 2010).

  2. Mignon McLaughlin, quoted on http://www.quotegarden.com/anger.html (accessed August 20, 2010).

  3. See John 15:16.

  4. See Matthew 11:30.

  5. See 2 Corinthians 12:9.

  6. See John 5:19.

  7. See Matthew 5:9.

  8. 2 Corinthians 10:5

  9. See Philippians 4:8.

  10. New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2008).

  11. See 2 Chronicles 16:9.

  12. See Romans 8:38–39.

  Chapter 20

  1. A Missouri Western University Organization, http://www.michaelppowers.com/path/humility.html (accessed August 18, 2010).

  2. Contact Voice of the Martyrs, USA, by phone, (918) 337–8015, or email, thevoice@vomusa.org, or visit them on the Web at www.persecution.com.

  3. Visit www.1040window.org for more information.

  4. See Colossians 1:13.

  5. See 2 Corinthians 5:17.

  6. Jim Elliott, quoted by Randy Alcorn; The Treasure Principle (Sisters, OR: Multinomah Publishers), 6.

  7. C.T. Studd, quoted on http://www.eaec.org/faithhallfame/ct-studd.htm (accessed August 23, 2010).

  8. See Revelation 2:2–4.

  Chapter 21

  1. John Eagan, “We Are Ordinary—Devotional,” http://mk-mk.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=33874450515&topic=5408 (accessed August 22, 2010).

  2. Joyce Meyer, Enjoying Everyday Life broadcast, 2010.

  3. See Lamentations 3:22–24.

  4. See Matthew 18:12–14.

  5. Bob Yandian, Enjoying Everyday Life broadcast, March 19, 2008.

  6. See 2 Corinthians 12:9–10.

  7. See 2 Samuel 11:3–5, 14–15.

  8. See Acts 22:7; 26:14.

  9. See Exodus 2:12–15.

  Chapter 22

  1. Mother Theresa, unknown.

  2. Mother Theresa, quoted on http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/309, (accessed August 23, 2010).

  3. See Ephesians 2:1–2.

  4. See Proverbs 16:18.

  Chapter 23

  1. Andrew Murray, Humility: The Beauty of Holiness, http://www.unveiling.org/Articles/humility6.htm, chapter 6.

  2. Michael Sullivant, prophetic word, Metro Christian Fellowship, 2001.

  Chapter 24

  1. Elizabeth Kenny, quoted on http://www.quotegarden.com/anger.html (accessed August 22, 2010).

  2. See Philippians 2:3.

  Chapter 25

  1. Luke 22:27 NIRV.

  2. See Matthew 13:18–19.

  3. See 1 Peter 5:8.

  4. Paul Billheimer, Destined for the Throne (Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1988).

  5. See James 4:7.

  Chapter 26

  1. C.J. Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2005). 21.

  2. Wayne Cordeiro, The Final Challenge.

  3. See Proverbs 16:25.

  4. See 1 Peter 2:24.

  5. See Romans 3:23.

  6. See 2 Corinthians 5:19.

  7. See James 1:27.

  8. See Hebrews 11:6.

  9. See Matthew 12:15.

  10. See Romans 10:17.

  Chapter 27

  1. Walter Buettler, unknown.

  2. John Bunyan (The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation) quoted on http://www.wholesomewords.org/devotion2.html (accessed August 23, 2010).

  3. See Psalm 64:3–5, New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2008).

  Chapter 28

  1. Andrew Murray “Humility” e-book. Chapter 6.http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/5f00.0565

  /5f00.0565.06.htm.

  2. Thomas Aquinas, quoted on http://www.theorb.net/encyclop/culture/philos/abelard3.html (accessed August 22, 2010).

  3. See Romans 8:32.

  4. See Luke 11:11.

  5. See Luke 6:19; Matthew 12:15.

  6. Proverbs 17:22

  Chapter 29

  1. Mike Bickle with Deborah Hiebert, The Seven Longings of the Human Heart (Kansas City, MO: Forerunner Books, 2006), 19.

  2. See Proverbs 24:16, English Standard Version.

  3. See Romans 8:28.

  4. Kelly Carpenter, “Draw Me Close,” Song.

  Chapter 30

  1. John Bevere, quoted on http://chfweb.net/articles/quote092298.html (accessed August 22, 2010).

  2. See Psalm 139:15.

  Chapter 32

  1. C.J. Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness (Sisters, OR, Multnomah Publishers, 2005), 32.

  Chapter 33

  1. Fulton J. Sheen, quoted on http://www.quotecatholic.com/index.php/category/humility/ (accessed August 22, 2010).

  Chapter 34

  1. Aaron Pierson, Humility, What We Lack! What The Lord Is, The True Treasure (Self published), 2.

  2. Matt Redman, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord,” Survivor Records (UK), 2002.

  Chapter 35

  1. Frances Quarles, quoted on http://quotationsbook.comquote/15527/ (accessed on August 23, 2010).

  2. See Philippians 4:7. Chapter 36

  Chapter 36

  1. Shawn Bolz, The Throne Room Company (North Sutton, NH: Streams Publishing House, 2004), 27.

  2. See James 4:7.

  3. See Proverbs 24:16.

  Chapter 37

  1. Jonathan Edwards, quoted on http://dailychristianquote.com/dcqedwards.html (accessed August 23, 2010).

  2. See 1 Peter 2:23 New King James (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995).

  3. See Psalm 136:26.

  4. See Isaiah 26:3.

  Chapter 38

  1. James M. Barrie, quoted on http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jamesmbar

  149337.html (accessed August 20, 2010).

  2. C.H. Spurgeon, quoted on http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0097.htm (accessed August 23, 2001).

  3. See Matthew 23:12.

  Chapter 39

  1. James M. Barrie, quoted on http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Life/2/index.html (accessed August 22, 2010).

  2. Rick Joyner, The Final Quest (Fort Mills, SC; MorningStar Publications, 2006).

  3. Many details of the judgment are not given in the Scriptures. I used extra-biblical experiences to make my point. I do not claim that this is how the judgment will be. Don’t miss this chapter’s message by getting bogged down in whether the judgment will look exactly like this.