The Honour of Humility
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"For everyone who exalts himself — will be humbled;
and he who humbles himself — will be exalted." Luke 18:14.
We are very prone to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. But if we unduly magnify our own importance, whether mentally or morally — the consequences cannot fail to be pernicious.
In the teaching of Christ, a place of special prominence is given to humility. "As portrayed by Him," as one observes, "it is a little child, to whom belief is natural — which is an emblem of candour, simplicity, and faith. When hearing His Word — humility sits at His feet, and is all docility and attention. On entering the presence of God — humility throws itself prostrate, or smites on its breast, and dares not lift up so much as its eyes to heaven. When it is free to take the highest seat in the assembly — humility voluntarily selects the lowest, and is taken by surprise if called up higher. In the presence of superior excellence — humility is praise and imitation. When associated with fellow-Christians — humility is willing subordination, desiring of no distinction, but that which arises from pre-eminent service. Humility declines to be called master — and lays all its honours at the Savior's feet. And when, at length, he shall ascend his throne — he is filled with self-abasement even there, and diffident of receiving his divine award. Under the reign of holiness, it is the office of humility to lay a foundation for universal obedience — by filling every subject with gratitude for the blessings he enjoys, and making him feel that the lowest situation is a post of unmerited distinction, held by a grant from sovereign grace."
Among the various means which are calculated to lead us to entertain humble thoughts of ourselves — one is the contemplation of real greatness and pre-eminent worth. In the report given by the people sent by Moses to examine the land which the tribes were about to possess, they stated, "And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature; and there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers." Such, in their case, was the effect of contrast; it was the sight of these imposing individuals which caused them to appear so insignificant in their own eyes. Let us, in like manner, place ourselves beside those of high spiritual stature — and we shall be likely to feel our own nothingness.
It is the purpose of God, in all His dispensations, to "keep man from pride". And until our haughtiness is subdued, and our lofty looks are brought low — we cannot be happy on the one hand, nor in a state of safety on the other.
"He who is down need fear no fall,
He who is low no pride;
He who is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide."
To the meek, He has promised to teach His ways. He has special respect unto the lowly; and while He resists the proud — He gives grace unto the humble.
Reader, seek to be clothed with deep humility; continually aspire after the ornament of a meek and humble spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price. And, being brought low in your own estimation, you will surely find that the saying is faithful and true, which declares that those who humble themselves shall, in due time, be exalted. "He shall save the humble person."
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