What comes to mind when you hear someone is humble? Do you think of someone in humble circumstances, meaning poor? Do you think of someone who allows everyone to walk all over them? Or do you think of someone strong enough they don’t have to flaunt their strength?
Being humble or striving to be humble is often misunderstood. Far too often we think of someone who is poor or someone who has no self-esteem or someone who allows everyone to walk on them. We forget that Jesus was the perfect example of being humble.
Have you thought of a horse being humble? No? Think about it. A horse is a powerful animal. It could easily crush a person. It can run at breakneck speed. It can jump over fences. It can pull a wagon loaded down with supplies or people. Yet, a horse that has been broken is a humble animal. Why? It has submitted to a master. It is willing to do as the master commands.
When Jesus speaks of being humble, think of a horse. It is powerful yet submits to its master. We are powerful, but when we submit to God, we become humble. Rather than beating our own drum or blowing our own horn, we are to submit to God. Jesus states that those who exalt themselves (think bragging about themselves) will be humbled, they will be broken even if it isn’t until Jesus returns. But those of us who are willing to humble ourselves before a Holy God will be exalted by God.
I pray we all humble ourselves before a Holy God. I pray we submit ourselves to his commands. I pray each one of us trust that God will humble everyone in his time but will exalt those who humble themselves. Humble yourself before God. Submit to his commands. Trust God to exalt you.
Luke 18:14 “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Marty Pressey 