Is Humble Before The Lord

Is Humble Before The Lord

A HERO’S TALE

Imagine being at the breakfast table with your family one morning. As you’re wolfing down a bowl of Cap’n Crunch, someone tells you some bad news. Suddenly, you stand up, rip your clothes in half, and begin weeping loudly.

Your family would probably stare at you, speechless, thinking you’re cuckoo. These days, people just don’t react like that.

But that’s exactly what King Josiah of Judah did when his servants read him part of the Old Testament that they had discovered in the temple. In ancient times, it was customary to tear one’s clothes to outwardly express extreme grief.

Why was Josiah sad? Because that portion of Scripture —which apparently had been lost or hidden during the idolatrous reigns of his father and grandfather, Amon and Manasseh —spoke of terrible judgment for the people if they worshiped other gods. (Check out the full story in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34.)

Because of the people’s wickedness, God was going to allow the Babylonians to destroy Judah. Not even a great king like Josiah could save the nation now. But God promised that Josiah wouldn’t experience Judah’s downfall. Why? Because Josiah was “sorry and humbled [himself] before the LORD” (2 Kings 22:19).

DECODING THE MESSAGE

Humility is the opposite of pride and arrogance. Humility is not thinking too highly of yourself. Humility is also present when we submit ourselves to God.

This is exactly what Josiah did when he heard God’s Word. He realized that there was a holy, almighty God in heaven whose love, mercy, and grace he didn’t deserve. The proper response was humble repentance and prayer, and that’s just what Josiah did.

In today’s verse, God says very plainly that he blesses the humble. And during Jesus’ earthly ministry, he told people, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

The message is clear: be humble before the Lord. Give your life to him. Acknowledge that he is God and you are not. Ask him to forgive your sins and help you live righteously.

But whatever you do, please don’t rip your clothes.

BATTLE PLAN

Putting others first is a great way to practice humility. Go out of your way to do something kind for someone else today.