Sassetta - Virgin of Humility - WGA20869 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).
There was an actor who was fond of telling everyone how wonderful he was. His house was a museum of memorabilia from his career. His rave reviews were framed and hung in every room. Awards graced shelves and tables, and copies of his movies were played on large screens when visitors came by. He took such delight in rattling off his achievement that no one else ever felt compelled to praise him.
“For whosoever exalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11)
Too often people seek after honors when they should be thriving for humility. Honors are not something that we deserve. They are gifts and should be given by others, not by ourselves. When we praise our own efforts, we slip into the sin of conceit. The good book tells in James 4:6 that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” God is most pleased when we commit ourselves to doing what is right. Even if no honors come to us in this life, God will honor us richly in the life to come.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). It is the humble man who is able to keep his sights set on God and in doing His will. Thomas A. Kempis said it best, “It is good for me Lord, that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy righteous Judgments, and may cast away all haughtiness of heart and all presumption. “
If we use our time doing the things that God has asked us to do, we will not have time to brag about our accomplishments. God has given us plenty to keep us busy all the days of our lives. If we stay committed to doing what is pleasing in His sight, He will bless us all our days.
Keep me humble, Lord. Help me to remember that I am nothing without You. You have given me everything I have and everything I am. You have blessed me with so many wonderful things, and I praise you. Amen!
Let's Talk Gospel 
a great post!
Jesus taught that we are *justified before God* when we humble ourselves before him:
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your comment, Paul. I am fascinated with your wisdom on matters of Scripture. You have enlightened me on a few things thus far and I am thankful.
May God bless you my friend
LikeLike
Another message right on time – at least for me. It is so easy to slip into what the world says is humility and become proud of what we think are our works – especially in leadership roles. I kept wondering why God laid it on my heart to get up so early in the morning every day. He knew I needed Him more than I realized it myself. I mean, I know I need Him, but sometimes I think I have to do things on my own. I’m having to learn how to depend on Him for everything. Thank you, thank you thank you!
LikeLike
I thank you for your comment Afi. You are correct. We need God more than we think we do. Truth is, we are absolutely nothing without Him. Somebody once said, “I can’t even walk without You holding my hands”
Thanks again for stopping by. God bless
LikeLike
Amen! Thanks for this. I needed to hear this one!
LikeLike
Many thanks for your comment TLM. The good Book tells us that the meek shall inherit the earth.
God bless
LikeLike
@Everyone
True humility is when we realize we can’t in anyway meet the requirement of the Law without the grace of God through atonement of Jesus Christ. Anyone who thinks he can meet the requirement of Law without Grace from Lord’ atonement is pratically just showing complete arrogance before God. We as christian should pray for such kind of a person may this ‘person’ know the “genuine humility” before God.
LikeLike
I agree with you DAWAH but the term,”complete arrogance” is too strong. The Bible tells us in Proverb 15:1, that a soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stirreth up anger.
Thanks for stopping and leaving a comment. God bless.
LikeLike
Great post, Noel. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, what with the calls for fasting and prayer for the US and the church. My mom and my uncle both taught that you did not let the right hand know what the left was doing – that what you did for God was between you and God and no one else – you did not go around flaunting your “works” before men. That has always stayed with me.
LikeLike
That is so true, Drusilla. Sometimes we get so caught up with honors and titles that we forget we are nothing without God.
Thanks a lot for your comment and support. God bless.
LikeLike
Hi Noel. Great post! It is a word in season. It’s a wonderful reminder that all that we are and all that we have, and have accomplished, is because of God. We are nothing in and of ourselves. All glory and honor belong to the Lord. We were created to glorify God. We were created for His pleasure. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11) Blessings!
Paulette
LikeLike
Amen! Thanks Minister Paulette
God bless.
LikeLike
Your statment “If we use our time doing the things that God has asked us to do, we will not have time to brag about our accomplishments.” hit the nail on the head. We have nothing to be “proud of” in our lives. If anything good is in our life it is only through our Lord Jesus Christ. “In Him we live and move and have our being.” Lord bless
LikeLike
You are absolutely correct Rob. We are nothing without Christ.
Thanks a lot for stopping by. God bless.
LikeLike
I needed to read this post today! And I am copy/pasting the following quote so I can reference it as needed! Great post…
“If we use our time doing the things that God has asked us to do, we will not have time to brag about our accomplishments. God has given us plenty to keep us busy all the days of our lives. If we stay committed to doing what is pleasing in His sight, He will bless us all our days.”
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your comment my friend. Sometimes we forget who is really in charge of our lives. As Christians, we have nothing to brag about, because without God’s grace we are nothing.
Thanks for stopping by. God bless
LikeLike
This is what debaters and frank people like me should keep in check – our egos.
Great reminder Noel.
LikeLike
Amen, Another amazing message! God Bless 🙂
LikeLike