The humble heart

Humility is one of those words we often admire, but rarely stop to define. What does it actually mean to humble ourselves before the Lord?

Scripture makes it clear that humility is not weakness. It’s recognizing who God is and willingly placing ourselves under His authority. It’s releasing our grip on self-reliance and acknowledging that everything we have and everything we are comes from Him.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NIV)

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11(NIV)

Humility is an invitation. We choose whether to surrender or to exalt ourselves. The Bible gives us examples of both.

King Uzziah began well. God blessed him, strengthened him, and gave him success. 

“He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5 (NIV)

Then Uzziah’s success slowly became self-reliance.

“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26:16 (NIV)

Strength itself wasn't the problem. Pride was. What God had given became something he tried to possess apart from God.

Unlike Uzziah, Hezekiah humbled himself when pride was exposed.

“Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.” 2 Chronicles 32:26 (NIV)

He humbled himself. Not only for his own pride, but for the people under his influence. And because of his repentance, mercy followed.

Humility invites grace.

“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.’” Isaiah 57:15 (NIV) 

The God who reigns over all things draws near to the humble. And nowhere do we see humility more clearly than in Jesus.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” Philippians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Jesus willingly laid aside the privileges of heaven and took on humanity. He came to identify with us, understand our weakness, and redeem us. His humility led Him to suffering. His obedience led Him to the cross. And His surrender led to exaltation.

“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)

Humility is often formed in places we would never choose. Through waiting. Through disappointment. Through suffering that reminds us we are not self-sufficient.

What does it mean for you to humble yourself before the Lord today?

The beautiful promise of Scripture is that when we willingly humble ourselves before God, He lifts us up. Not necessarily in the eyes of the world, but in His presence.

And there is no higher place to be.