Devotionals

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A while ago, I found myself exploring the definitions and a few (very few) of the Biblical examples of humility and meekness. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary defines humility as ‘a state of mind well pleasing to God; it preserves the soul in tranquility, and makes us patient under trials. It is a "great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."’ Because our lives are to be about bringing glory to God, the practice of humility shouldn't seem so difficult. However, tranquility, patience, and humility, especially under trials, are not by any stretch of the imagination cornerstone values of our society.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary gives the following definition for meekness. “A calm temper of mind, not easily provoked.” Like tranquility, patience, and humility, meekness is not valued or displayed a lot in this world either.

Humility and meekness are very similar in definition. In Numbers 12:3, Moses is described as a humble man in the NIV translation and a meek man in the KJV translation. Moses was the man called by God to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and lead them around in the desert for 40 years while God tested and humbled them. Moses had his work cut out for him. Not only to be humble and meek in the face of God and to Egypt's Pharaoh, but then to be humble and meek in a group of angry, complaining, ridiculous, and unfaithful Israelites. Only with God's help did Moses endure Israel's attitudes about their situations for 40 years.

Jesus Christ is our connection to God and only with His help will we ever be able to endure the attitudes and situations in our own lives. The humility and meekness of Jesus Christ was our ultimate example -- given by God no less. The apostle Paul describes His humility and meekness beautifully in a letter to the Philippians (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV). Paul writes:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


The only way we can become humble and meek is through prayer and through application of Scripture. First, by asking God to show us where in our lives, in our attitudes, in our situations, in our relationships, and wherever else, He would like to see us change. Second, as we read through Scripture when we find commands that we are not following or not following as well as we could be, God points that out to us and describes how He wants us to apply the Scripture to our lives. Jesus said, in Matthew 11:29 (NIV), “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Rest is something that may not come easily in this body right now, but it is a comfort to know that because of Christ Jesus rest is available for our souls.


Bibliography
"humility." Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary. 20 Apr. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humility>.
"meekness." Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary. 21 Apr. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meekness>.

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