WHY GOD ESTEEMS HUMILITY

 


 

Scripture teaches a lot about God’s disdain for the proud and arrogant and His affection for the humble:

•    For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness...the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. (Psalms 18:27-28, 32)

Why does God disdain the arrogant and haughty? Because they do not abide in the light of truth. They have hardened their hearts against the truth of God and the truth about themselves. They have become self-righteous, self-centered, and consider others as inferior. Consequently, they are living a lie and are unreceptive to the truth. They have become narcissistic and must be humbled before then can be blessed.

Why is God drawn to the humble? I think that there are many reasons for this. Since we have been created in the likeness of God, some of these reasons are apparent to us by virtue of our experience.

The humble are genuine and transparent. They know that they are but a mere speak of dust in this massive and imponderable universe. They also know that they have too many faults to become proud, and that their value is derived from a God who loves them. Therefore, they are not trying to impress you. They have learned to set aside their mask and to accept themselves as they are, warts and all. They then can begin to accept others as they are and not look down on them. They can be forgiving because they have been forgiven. Their humility allows you to lay aside your own facade and efforts to impress. Consequently, they are willing abide in the light and under the scrutiny of God and need not act defensively. Consequently, it is easier to relate to them.

The humble fear God in a healthy way. Because they want to please their Savior before all else, you can trust them. The humble have learned to look beyond themselves, knowing that the world doesn’t revolve around them. Consequently, they are teachable and more ready to value, understand, and to learn from you.

The humble are also more ready to look towards your needs, having had their most basic needs fulfilled in the Lord.

Knowing that they are not entitled to your honor and blessings, they are grateful for what they receive and less likely to make demands on others.

It should, therefore, be no surprise that the Lord is drawn to the humble, as Jesus repeatedly affirmed:

•    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:3-7)

Because a humble spirit is so precious to the Lord, He first humbles us in order to exalt us (Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14). Humility is the soil from which all other virtues arise.