What does it mean to be humble? Do you consider yourself a humble person? Is that a tricky question? Do you know anyone you consider to be humble? Have you rid yourself of pride? Or are you still wrestling with it? Does pride pop up in areas of your life you least expect?
Pride and humility are opposites. We wrestle with pride and strive to be humble. Yet, it is difficult for us to do, especially in our American culture. We compare ourselves to others way too much, often thinking ourselves to be better than them. It is a battle we fight nearly every day.
Solomon says there are rewards for being humble and revering God. Lest we start thinking in terms of the prosperity gospel, God does not promise to make anyone wealthy. The word riches does mean to make money, but it does not mean wealth.
Our greater striving to be humble should be so that we are honored by God. As we humble ourselves before God and show him reverence, he will honor us. When we obey his commands and choose to follow Jesus, God gives us life—eternal life.
The question we must wrestle with is: Do we prefer honor from our culture or from God? Humbling ourselves before God is to submit to him, his commands, and his will. It is trusting that God knows what is best for us and being willing to obey. Even if we are prideful, God will not abandon us. However, when we humble ourselves before him, he honors us.
I pray we all choose to give up our prideful ways. I pray we decide to be humble before God. I pray each one of us will submit to God obeying his commands and following his will for our lives. Give up your prideful ways. Be humble before God. Submit to God. Obey God’s commands.
Proverbs 22:4:
The reward for humility and fear of the LORD
is riches and honor and life.
Marty Pressey 