02/20/2022
We are meant to humble ourselves before God even in those times of our greatest strength, but why? The world tells us that we do so because even when we are mighty He is stronger yet, when we are hungry He feeds us, when our lips are parched He brings forth water from the rocks, and when our enemies are preparing to destroy us He defends us, but In truth we do so because He loves us so perfectly. Although we love Him with all our being, He loves us more. God doesn’t demand that we approach Him on our knees, we do this out of our desire to yield ourselves entirely to Him. So, are we humbling ourselves before our Lord God, His children, and even those who are old and weak, or are we waiting to be humbled for our arrogance, and selfishness, before we do so?
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””
Luke 14:11 ESV
Humility isn’t meant to be reserved only for those who are stronger, more powerful, wealthier, or wiser, than we are, no, humility is at its peak when given to those who are lesser than ourselves, the weak, the old, the sickly, and the little children. It is easy to show humility in the presence of God’s immense power, and the absolute faith of Jesus Christ, for they are powerful, and mighty indeed, but to be like them we must show others the same humility that they show us… we call this grace, and God gives it to the humble.
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””
1 Peter 5:5 ESV
When we humble ourselves before those who we believe are beneath us in some way, we will receive wonderful rewards, but not from those weaker souls, but from God Himself. Jesus told us that our reward would be in heaven, and in the parable of the banquet He tells us that our reward will come at the resurrection of the just. Knowing this makes it easier for us to remain humble for our entire lives… not expecting an immediate reward helps us to perfect our humility because eventually the reward loses its importance altogether, and the act of humility itself becomes the reward.
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.””
Luke 14:13-14 ESV
When my mother and father-in-law became old, and couldn’t take care of their property, or themselves, I made the decision that I would do this for them. I started doing the menial tasks that they were unable to do. I mowed the lawn in the summer, gathered up the leaves in the fall, cleaned the gutters, changed light bulbs, drove them to church, and any other task that needed to be done… later I recognized this as humility, but I did this because I loved them.
As the months and years went by I found that serving them ceased to be a hardship, and became pure joy. I looked forward to mowing, and all the other tasks, because I enjoyed being with them. My family had grown to include them in a way that I never imagined possible. This is how humility ceases to be the way we behave, and becomes who we are. These were the greatest years of spiritual growth in my life; not because I saw a need and served my in-laws, but because I did so out of love and humility; so faith, and grace, became my reward. Unknowingly I had embarked upon a journey towards humble perfection by humbling myself in ways that most would not have expected…
“And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:47-48 ESV
Do we humble ourselves before God? Well if we do, that is a good start… now we should take the next step and work at perfecting our humility even further by serving others, and humbling ourselves entirely in the process. Are we ready to do this? Are we ready for an infusion of faith, and an outpouring of grace? Or, maybe just the joy that comes from humbly loving one another.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would send your Son Jesus to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected for us. We thank you for doing this even though we were undeserving, and sinful creatures. We thank you for allowing us to see perfect humility in Him, and hearing His teaching as He told us how to humble ourselves. Help us Father to look beyond the rewards you have promised then humble, and see our humility and service of others as our just reward. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who bends down to lift us up, and who humbles yourself in the effort. Praised be your name for every opportunity you place before us to demonstrate humility, and to serve even the least of your children. You are merciful to those we humbly serve, and to us whose faith is magnified. Your grace abounds in humility, and we look towards that day when we will be resurrected, and experience its perfect fullness and joy. Wash away our sins with the blood of Jesus, and call us your children. In this way let us be humble before you, Jesus, and all of creation. Let us love the deserving and undeserving alike, because, even though it can be hard, this is your commandment.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
1 Peter 3:8 ESV
Rich Forbes