Who do you imagine when you think of humility?
Whenever I think of humility in a worldly sense I think of one of the most memorable characters in English literature. Uriah Heep.
(1)
“Perhaps you’ll be a partner in Mr. Wickfield’s business, one of these days,” I said, to make myself agreeable; “and it will be Wickfield and Heep, or Heep late Wickfield.”
“Oh, no, Master Copperfield,” returned Uriah, shaking his head, “I am much too umble for that!”
“There are people enough to tread upon me in my lowly state, without my doing outrage to their feelings by possessing learning. Learning ain’t for me. A person like myself had better not aspire. If he is to get on in life, he must get on ‘umbly, Master Copperfield!” – Uriah Heep
“My Uriah,’ said Mrs. Heep, ‘has looked forward to this, sir, a long while. He had his fears that our umbleness stood in the way, and I joined in them myself. Umble we are, umble we have been, umble we shall ever be,’ said Mrs. Heep.”
― Charles Dickens, David Copperfield
He was of course an example of false humility
Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem brings to mind the importance of true humility.
He did not enter Jerusalem with pride on a white charger but a donkey immediately challenging the perceptions of what a Messiah was and is.
We are called to be a reflection of Christ’s humility in prayer and action. It is easy to feign humility. Are we “umble” or humble?
Php 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus – Christ labored to promote no separate interest; as man he studied to promote the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of the human race. See then that ye have the same disposition that was in Jesus: he was ever humble, loving, patient, and laborious; his meat and drink was to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work.(2)
in the life of prayer we seek to discover and follow the will of the father for our lives and the lives of others. For some there is a tendency to believe that we can influence immediately God’s will by declaring demanding the gifts of the people of God. Can we demand of God?
As Christ did in the garden of Gethsemane we can ask for this cup to be taken away within the end we save thy will be done.
When we have true humility, we received the promises of God
Psa 149:4 KJV
(4) For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Psa 149:4 KJV
(4) For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
2Ch 7:14 KJV
(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.
Another part of prayer which is essential if Praise. The crowds cried out Hosanna! When we come before God in humility it should be natural for us to offer up a prayer of praise and Thanksgiving.
In our personal life of prayer Praise is essential in my opinion the liturgy (1662 or 1928) is a nourishing of the life of prayer and praise. Liturgy can never be a replacement for our own personal prayer life.
Again, returning to humility those who lead liturgy are to pray it not just say it!
We praise God for who He is.
I have a reflection which I often use I begin with the character of God;
God is holy therefore God is love, justice, mercy but above all holy. Therefore, he has my praise and thanksgiving.
In a culture which emphasises self esteem to an ungodly degree, I remember in Christ I may be unworthy of Him but am not worthless for He was born, lived died, rose again, and is my advocate before the throne of grace.
I know my beloved and my beloved knows me.
Rev.Geordie
For further reflection;
Luk 18:10-14 KJV
(10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
(11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
(12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
(13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
(14) I 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.
“This parable unmistakably tells us certain things about prayer.
(i) No man who is proud can pray. The gate of heaven is so low that none can enter it save upon his knees. All that a man can say is,
“None other Lamb, none other Name,
None other Hope in heaven or earth or sea,
None other Hiding-place from guilt and shame,
None beside Thee.”
(ii) No man who despises his fellow-men can pray. In prayer we do not lift ourselves above our fellow-men. We remember that we are one of a great army of sinning, suffering, sorrowing humanity, all kneeling before the throne of God’s mercy.
(iii) True prayer comes from setting our lives beside the life of God. No doubt all that the Pharisee said was true. He did fast; he did meticulously give tithes; he was not as other men are; still less was he like that tax-collector. But the question is not, “Am I as good as my fellow-men?” The question is, “Am I as good as God?” Once I made a journey by train to England. As we passed through the Yorkshire moors I saw a little whitewashed cottage and it seemed to me to shine with an almost radiant whiteness. Some days later I made the journey back to Scotland. The snow had fallen and was lying deep all around. We came again to the little white cottage, but this time its whiteness seemed drab and soiled and almost grey in comparison with the virgin whiteness of the driven snow.
It all depends what we compare ourselves with. And when we set our lives beside the life of Jesus and beside the holiness of God, all that is left to say is, “God be merciful to me–the sinner.” Daily Bible Study
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There Is Not Enough Private Prayer!
There are few professing Christians, it may be feared, who strive to imitate Christ in the matter of private devotion. There is abundance of hearing, reading, talking, professing, visiting, contributing to the poor, subscribing to societies and teaching at schools.
But is there, together with all this, a due proportion of private prayer? Are believing men and women sufficiently careful to be frequently alone with God? These are humbling and heart-searching questions. But we shall find it useful to give them an answer.
Why is it that there is so much apparent religious working, and yet so little result in positive conversions to God – so many sermons, and so few souls saved – so much machinery, and so little effect produced – so much running here and there, and yet so few brought to Christ? Why is all this? The reply is short and simple. There is not enough private prayer.The cause of Christ does not need less working, but it does need among the workers more praying. Let us each examine ourselves, and amend our ways. The most successful workmen in the Lord’s vineyard, are those who are like their Master, often and much upon their knees.
~ J.C. Ryle Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke volume 1, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1986], 139, 140. {Luke 5:12-16}
(1)Fred Barnard – http://www.dickensmuseum.com/vtour/groundfloor/fronthallway/drawing-12-full.php
(2) Clarkes Commentary on the Bible
