Humility

Donn Heinrich

Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

2 Chronicles 7:14

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2 Chronicles 7:14 AV

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

To bring themselves down

Humility defined & described

Humility: to bring self down

Humility: To bring themselves down

Humility: to subject self to God & others

Humility: to submit myself to another

Humility: to lower myself in our own estimation

Humility: to reduce myself in rank or status

Voluntarily subject themselves v. forcibly be made subject

Humility is the quality of not regarding oneself more highly than one should, nor being excessively concerned about one’s welfare or reputation (Millard J. Erickson, The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology).

Humility does not mean thinking poorly of ourselves but just not thinking of ourselves at all! (Warren Wiersbe, Truth on Its Head (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016)

Promises for the humble

Grace for the humble

The promise of GRACE for the humble

, … [The Lord] gives grace unto the lowly [humble].

Proverbs 3:34 AV

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Grace for the humble

, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

, Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Wisdom for the humble

, When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom [with humility comes wisdom].

Honor for the humble

, The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility [humility precedes honor].

, Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

, By [the reward of] humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.

, And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

, … He hath exalted them of low degree.

, tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Paul: an example of humility

The least of the apostles

, For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Less than the least of all saints

, Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Chief of sinners

, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

“When the corn is near ripe, it bows the head, and stoops lower than when it was green. When the people of God are near ripe for heaven, they grow more humble and self-denying, than in the days of their first profession. The longer a saint grows, the better he is still acquainted with his own heart and his obligations to God. Paul had one foot in heaven, when he called himself the chiefest of sinners” (John Flavel, The Whole Works of the Reverend John Flavel, vol. 5).

“They that know God will be humble. And they that know themselves cannot be proud” (John Flavel, The Whole Works of the Reverend John Flavel, vol. 2).

Jesus Christ: The supreme display of humility

, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

“Of humility in the form of self-depreciation or self-humiliation on account of sin Jesus could know nothing, for there was no defect or fault in His character. But of the humility which consists in self-forgetfulness He was the perfect pattern. We cannot say that He thought little of Himself, but we may say that He thought not of Himself at all: He thought only of the Father’s glory and of man’s good. Considerations of personal aggrandizement had no place among His motives. He shrank with holy abhorrence from all who were influenced by such considerations; no character appearing so utterly detestable in His eye as that of the Pharisee, whose religion was a theatrical exhibition, always presupposing the presence of spectators, and who loved the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues, and to be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi. For Himself He neither desired nor received honor from men. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister: He, the greatest, humbled Himself to be the least—to be a child born in a stable and laid in a manger; to be a man of sorrow, lightly esteemed by the world; yea, to be nailed to a cross. By such wondrous self-humiliation He showed His divine greatness” (Alexander Balmain Bruce, The Training of the Twelve).

, If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

“The humility and lowliness of Christ is propounded by himself as a pattern for his people’s imitation. He could stoop, even to wash the disciples feet. The humility of Christ appeared in every thing he spake or did. But especially, and above all, in stooping down from all his glory to a state of the deepest contempt, for the glory of God and our salvation. Christians! here is your pattern; look to your meek and humble Saviour, and tread in his steps; be you clothed with “humility.” Whoever are ambitious to be the world’s great ones, let it be enough for you to be Christ’s little ones. Convince the world, that since you knew God and yourselves, your pride hath been dying from that day. Shew your humility in your habits. In your company, not [despising] the meanest and poorest that fear the Lord. In your language; that dialect befits your lips. But especially in the humble thoughts you have of yourselves” (John Flavel, The Whole Works of the Reverend John Flavel, vol. 2).

, the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

“You that would follow Christ, in like manner imitate His example. Let the mouths of others praise you, but keep your own lips closed” (Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons of St. Bernard).

“Let us daily strive to copy our Savior’s humility. Pride is the oldest and commonest of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces. For humility let us labor. For humility let us pray. Our knowledge may be scanty. Our faith may be weak. Our strength may be small. But if we are disciples of Him, let us at any rate be humble” (J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Matthew).

Humility: how we should live

, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The resolve

He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so (Amplified Bible).

He must become more important while I become less important (The NET Bible).

He must become more significant, but I must become less significant.

“One becomes humble by thinking upon Christ and exalting Him to others… The larger Christ loomed before him, the smaller did John become in his own estimation” (Harrison, Jesus and His Contemporaries).

“The great ones in the kingdom… throw themselves with such unreservedness into the work to which they are called, that they have neither time nor inclination to inquire what place they shall obtain in this world or the next. Leaving consequences to the great Governor and Lord, and forgetful of self-interest, they give their whole soul to their appointed task; content to fill a little space or a large one, as God shall appoint, if only He be glorified (Alexander Balmain Bruce, The Training of the Twelve).

I [David] have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant for I have acted foolishly.

27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. 28 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.

The officers of Israel and the king humbled themselves... the Lord saw that they humbled themselves” ()... Because he [Rehoboam] humbled himself the wrath of the Lord turned from him” ().

Some men from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

19 His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled...

Because thine [Josiah’s] heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

–

[Amon] humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.

[Zedekiah] did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

Prayer

In order that a prayer should be really unto God, there must be a definite and conscious approach to God when we pray; we must have a definite and vivid realization that God is bending over us and listening as we pray.

— R. A. Torrey

Seeking the Lord

Seeking my face, my presence

The difference between Saul’s failure ( ) on the one hand and David’s and Solomon’s success on the other was seeking the Lord (cf. ; , ; ).

Saul should have taken his problems to the Lord, but he did not “inquire” of the Lord. It meant for him not merely seeking information but a deep dependence on God born out of a trustful attitude of personal faith and loyalty. Failure to inquire of the Lord on this occasion was a further indication of Saul’s whole attitude. Godly leadership is characterized by complete obedience to the Lord and by seeking guidance from him in faith. Saul failed on both counts (John Thompson, NAC).

And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.

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1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.

12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.

26 And as for the king of Judah [Josiah], who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;

27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

To extend great effort to find or accomplish something.

The seeking expressed by bāqaš often implies additional action. Thus, seeking (bāqaš) Yahweh’s precepts () suggests obedience, as well. The meanings of the Qal stem of the verb range from “seeking” () to “desiring, demanding” () to a legal sense of “requiring, exacting” (). The Piel means “searching, consulting” () or “seeking in prayer” (). It too can mean “to demand or require” but not in a legal sense (). The Septuagint usually translates bāqaš with either ζητέω (zēteō, “to seek”) or, less often, ἐκζητέω (ekzēteō, “to seek”).

— Lexham Theological Wordbook

Turn from our wicked ways

repudiate their sinful practices (NET)

Turning toward or away from something, often used with the sense of turning away from God (apostasy) or turning back toward God (repentance).

While šûb is used for physical movement (; ), and while it is used sometimes in later literature to refer to the nation’s return from exile (e.g., ; ; ; ), it is most often used in covenantal contexts to refer to God’s people either turning away from God (; ; ; ; ; ; ) or to God’s people turning back to God from sin (; ). Some forms are also used with God as the subject to indicate God’s “restoring” his people.

— Lexham Theological Wordbook

I [David] have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant for I have acted foolishly.

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