Humility, a virtue

Sat, 06 May 2017 14:28:50 +0000

PROVERBS 15:33

Welcome once again to our today’s topic. Today we are quoting proverbs 15:33. And it reads, “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of Wisdom, and before honour is humility.”

A book of proverbs is about wise living. It often focuses on a person’s response and attitude towards God, who is the source of wisdom. We all know that since God is the source of wisdom, He therefore helps us on the way to wisdom, as a way of life, and he is aware of what happens everywhere, all the time. We cannot hide anything from Him. He reads our thoughts even before we are able to act on them. If the thoughts are evil, and there is no end to it, then the Lord sends a cruel messenger to such a person (Proverbs 17:11). With all these powers and authority, we surely have to be humble before our Lord God Almighty. We should be humble because we are His creatures. He created us from quarry (Isaiah 51-1). This is another reason why humility before our Lord becomes necessary. To the Lord everything is possible (Mathew 19-26). We should be humble to one who is able to do anything without hindrance.

Humility means, show of submission or meekness, quality of state of being humble. Not to think too highly of oneself. To bring low or prostrate. The opposite of the word humility is arrogance, we do not know what man can gain out of arrogance. In the book of Mathew 5:5, it is written thus; “Blessed are the meek, for they shall receive what God has promised.” What the Lord has promised for those who are humble before him, is everlasting life (John 3:16). In some Bible versions, the word meek, is defined as humble. To be humble in the presence of God is to be gentle, kind and mild. People who are defined in this manner are truly polite. These are the people who obey the word of God. The starting point therefore is to know God. We should know the knowledge of God. In the book of Proverbs are scriptures that describe our Father God Almighty. These scriptures are important so that both believers and non-believers can see reason for us all to humble ourselves before the Lord. Some of the descriptions of our Lord God Almighty are as follows:

Our God is aware of all that happens. Proverbs 15:3 says; “the Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.” This means that, God has let evil run rampant in the world and we wonder if He ever notices it. But our Lord sees everything very clearly. He is able to know the evil and the good intentions of every one. In the book of Jeremiah 23:23, the Bible says “I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. No one can hide where I cannot see him. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?” When we do evil or good, God sees everything, and shall reward us according to what we do (Revelations 22:12). We should not be wasting time asking ourselves as to how soon is soon. Instead, we should be more for doing what is good and avoid what is evil.

Our God knows the hearts of all people. In the book of Revelations 16:2 the Bible says that people may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. If we have a tendency of wanting to prove ourselves right, even when we are wrong, one thing for sure is that we cannot escape the judgement of God, who’s always fair and just, because he is able to see in the heart of every person. We may cleverly fool people, but never our Lord God Almighty.

Our Father, Lord God of Israel is a place of safety (Proverbs 18:10). The name of the Lord is a strong fortress, the godly run to Him and are safe. When His people are threatened by the utterances of the evil one, they run to Him for safety. Those who run to Him in faith, will certainly be rescued from the desires of the evil one (Proverbs 11:8). Our Lord God of Abraham, Israel and Jacob, condemns the wicked (Proverbs11:31). The Bible says: “If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked believers”. The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness (Proverbs 12-2). The humble should not prepare for condemnation from our Lord, but rather prepare for a reward for doing what is good in the presence of man and our Father, Lord God Creator of heaven and earth, what is seen and what is not seen. He is God for all nations, worthy of our trust, for He lives forever, Alpha and Omega.

We cannot claim to be believers in the Lord God almighty and at the same time plan evil. After all Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit.” Is it a fruit of evil, bitter to taste or fruit of righteousness? Sweet to taste. There are several descriptions of God in the book of Proverbs, which should be discovered by intense Bible study. To all the descriptions, a meek person is supposed to respond with fear and reverence for our Father, Lord God Almighty (Proverbs 10:27). “Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked one are cut short.” It is by the way we respond to the description of God that will decide whether we are meek or not.

Those who are humble will always want to obey God’s Word (Proverbs 13:13). This, they will always do what is right and just as a way of showing trust in our Father, God Almighty. Their character by deed and word will demonstrate that Jesus lives in them (Revelations 3:20-21), and this is a virtue. It is a character that will show generosity for the needy. This is not done as a show off of the riches that we have, but rather to obey the commandment which says “Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). A virtue of humbleness is of value greatly desired by believers. In this case, is telling us that by showing love to other people, then we shall qualify to be called his disciples.

This must be done both in word and in deed. We should avoid petty bickering, jealousy and division in the body of Christ. All the ten commandments of Moses are anchored on love. The meek will always love our Father, Lord God Almighty and then love others as we love ourselves. The Holy Spirit does not entertain evil thoughts, only the devil does, and we are of Christ and not of the devil. Evil thoughts if not discarded may give birth to evil deeds. But, thoughts of the Holy Spirit, will always give birth to spiritual fruit, which is love. Humble people devote themselves to prayer, even when they are in trouble, knowing that our Father Lord God Almighty Jehovah Jireh delights in hearing our prayers (Proverbs 15:8).

Humble people do not think too highly of themselves, but will wait upon God to elevate them and not to provoke other people, because in them is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things (Galatians 5:22). This is what brings about self-control, which is necessary for prudent action as may be deemed necessary. By humility, faith is enhanced and the benefits are abound. In 1st Peter 5-6, the Bible says; “Humble yourselves, then under God’s mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in his own good time.” When God lifts you up, it will be to His honour, because you would have tried, and probably you would have failed (1st Corinthians 15:10).

People who are humble receive a lot of support from people around them in all what they want to do in life. To have faith in God, is a sign of meekness. Nothing at all pleases God more than faith (Hebrews 11:6). If we are believers, have faith, and are humble to the Lord, the question of us to panic does not arise. Panic in times of trouble is not recommended in any situation, where positive results are awaited. In a state of panic, many errors are created.

It is by humility that we have got to go down our knees and face our Lord God Almighty in prayer. In the book of Acts 20:19, the Bible says: “With all humility and many tears I did my work as the Lord’s servant during the hard times that came to me.” St, Paul had the opportunity to serve our Lord in the manner he did. It was not easy, but he managed with humility. It is very clear therefore that humility breeds patience, consistency and the ability to deal with distracting elements, in the cause of serving our Lord God, Almighty. As the case may be, we should apply humility in problem solving, knowing that, in this manner, our God will be on our side. And if God is for us, no person can be against us (Romans 8:31).

In all what we want or do, we should remember as believers that our Lord God Almighty resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). In other words, we should humble ourselves before the Lord, by obeying His commandments. That is, we should love the Lord thy God with all our heart, and with all thy soul, with all thy might. And we should love others as we love ourselves. In the book of Galatians 6-7, the Holy book says “Do not be misled, you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” If you live to satisfy your own desires, will harvest decay and whatever the evil one can provide. Let us therefore practice humility before our Lord God Almighty and experience His goodness.

In humility we should learn only to do what is right which pleases God.

Our Lord God Almighty, we pray for blessings upon your people in Zambia, Lord, continue to bless and protect the Republican President and the people of Zambia by your own power and grace. This is our prayer, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!