Read: James 4:10-17
A famous conductor was once asked which instrument he considered the most difficult to play. His reply: “Second fiddle.” On March 4, 1861, after Abraham Lincoln had defeated Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency, the two were together on the East Portico of the Capitol for Lincoln’s inauguration. The President-elect was introduced by Senator Edward E. Baker of Oregon. Lincoln stood beside him, carrying the manuscript of his speech, a cane, and his tall silk hat.
As he was ready to speak, he looked around for a place to put the hat. Stephen Douglas quickly stepped forward, took the hat, and returned to his seat. He later said, “If I can’t be President I can at least hold his hat for him.” In the current political climate in our country I found this old-fashion moment of humility very refreshing.
God’s Word proclaims over and over that a humble life is a life of love, service, and witness to a world that is so often self-centered and preoccupied with themselves and their own affairs. Others tend to look at the sins and faults of others without seeing the shortcomings in their own lives. John MacArthur once said, “Some people get so caught up in their own holiness that they look at the Trinity for a possible vacancy.”
In James 4:10 the Bible says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” There are also reminders from Jesus in the gospels that the last will be first and the least of these should be lifted up. In a narcissistic world full of self-promotion, we could all use a little reminder about the importance of humility.
2 Chronicles 7:14 is one of the best-known verses in the Bible about humility. May these words and actions become the desire of our hearts. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Make it Personal: Pay attention to humility in your life. Are you focused on yourself and your own desires more than the needs of others? Are you worried more about how you will look on social media than how well you are serving and helping those closest to you? Humility is not always easy, but it is definitely the Godly way to live.
