Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4 NIV
Humility as a virtue is a major theme of both the Old and New Testaments. Humility dissipates anger, heals old wounds, and allows us to see the dignity and worth of all God’s people. It’s what distinguishes the wise leader from the arrogant power-seeker. Humility comes with a knowledge that God’s creation as a whole transcends our own narrow interests. And it leads us to put God and others ahead of our own selfish interests. Yet, as with other aspects of wisdom, humility gains us far more than we sacrifice.
God requires us to be humble, in order to interact with him, and fully give ourselves over to him -so that he may be glorified. If we get caught up in ourselves, we take our eyes and our hearts off of God. This is exactly what he does NOT desire. It’s a quality that God promises to honor.
Moses had this quality, and the Lord constantly honored him:
Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 NIV
The Lord used Moses in miraculous ways, actually speaking directly to him, and honored Moses request to see him (by showing him his back, as no one could see the Lords face and live) – so he covered Moses face with his hand as he passed by a cleft in a rock where he put Moses to protect him. Of Moses, he went on further to say:
With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Numbers 12:8a NIV
God will reveal himself to us too, when we practice his will, desire His ways, and practice humility!
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6b ESV
All throughout the Bible, we see examples of humility being shown, and it’s spoken of by our Lord Jesus:
“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NASB
“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 NASB
Jesus, on the night he was to be betrayed, washed the feet of his disciples. The night he was to give up his life for you and I, he took the time to become a servant! He took the time to pray for the apostles and us, knowing what he was going to endure. He gave his thoughts only to the father and then to us! This can do nothing but bring me to my knees, humbling myself to the one above all.
Perhaps the best example is what is written by the apostle Paul in Philippians Chapter 2, who tells us that our Lord Christ Jesus set the bar for how we should carry ourselves in this world.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:4 NASB
He goes on to explain how Christ, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped – how he humbled himself to death – even death on a cross! Then God exalted him to the most high place, and gave him the name above every name. The Lord God, exhibiting once again the rewards for humility. This, if nothing more, gives us the greatest example of how we are to live, in humility.
Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ set the bar, this is a quality he not only exhibited beyond the scope of our true understanding, but one God requires of us who truly desire to walk with him – daily.
Remember:
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4 NIV
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger: Barnabas