Humility

In the Bible, Numbers chapter 20 gives the account which impacted Moses severely as he led the Israelites to the promised land. Repeatedly the people complained and blamed Moses for their misery. Their constant cry was, “Why have you brought us into this wilderness to die? Why did you make us leave Egypt?” Often, they expressed a desire to return to Egypt as slaves. Their distress at times was associated with physical needs. This time they were thirsty and there was no water to drink. In verse 6, Moses and Aaron seek God and as they go to the Tabernacle they bow face down on the ground. It was then that “the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them.” Humble before God, He instructs Moses to speak to a rock and He will provide the needed water.  The people gather at the rock, and Moses angrily shouts, “Listen you rebels! Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then, rather than speaking to the rock, he strikes the rock. Although the needed water gushes out, with this disobedient action, Moses is doomed, never to set foot in the promised land.

As I read this passage, I feel sorry for Moses. After all, he has been given great responsibility by God and up to this point has faithfully obeyed God, even in the midst of constant complaints and great difficulty. But God’s declaration to Moses stems from that one word, “we.” When Moses stood before the people and struck the rock, he was putting himself in the role of the provider. In verse 12, God says to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

When Moses and Aaron humbled themselves before God, His presence appeared to them. In a time of anger, the sin of pride raised its ugly head and his actions brought about severe consequences. I have been a victim of pride, choosing to think of myself as important. I recall a day when I was teaching school that I realized, in spite of holding many responsibilities that placed me in leadership roles, when those responsibilities were given to others, I was nothing. It was a lesson in humility that I have never forgotten. I was humbled, but I was also set free.

As I have studied the attributes of God, that lesson of humility has become even more clear. In a little book, The Practice of the Presence of God, one of the letters written by Brother Lawrence states, “We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.”

Humility is defined as a modest or low view of one’s own importance. C.S. Lewis said it this way, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” The following prayer, written long ago by a Puritan, paints a picture of humility.

“If traces of Christ’s love-artistry be upon me, may He work on with His divine brush until the complete image be obtained and I be made a perfect copy of Him, my Master.”

Jesus was the image of humility. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 (ESV)

There are some who struggle with self-worth, seeking the approval of others. The more we know God, the more aware we become of our complete dependence upon Him. This results in humility as we realize that truly, we are nothing and He is everything. This realization gives us freedom from the prison of pride.  May we desire to become so lost in Him that we are lost to self.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

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