Humility

Humility

For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.

Luke 14:11

Children love the Old Testament story of David and Goliath. I used to sing the song “Only a Boy Named David” to my boys most nights at bedtime when they were little guys. Goliath, a Philistine giant and the epitome of pride, had been out strutting, stepping out of the battle lines, and shouting defiantly at the Israelites. The Philistines occupied one hill, and the Israelites occupied another, with a valley in between them. Goliath wanted the Israelites to send out one man to fight him, but the whole Israelite army was terrified of the giant!

Enter David—the picture of humility. David was a simple shepherd who had faithfully performed his tasks as a “nobody.” In fact, not long before this account, God had sent the prophet Samuel to the house of David’s father, Jesse, saying that one of Jesse’s sons would someday be the king of Israel. As the prophet was presented the “most likely” candidates from oldest to youngest, Samuel said no to seven sons and then asked, “Are these all of your sons?” Jesse answered, “No, the youngest is out tending the sheep.” And—you know the story—the young shepherd David was the one Samuel was looking for!

Humanly speaking, the battle plan didn’t make sense. Goliath should have won the fight easily, but in God’s plan David felled the giant with a stone from his slingshot. As we live in a highly competitive society that rewards the biggest and best, may we not be tricked into thinking that strong and proud is good, and weak and humble is bad. May God’s Word remind us that a posture of humility and service is the right posture for us.

God of surprises,

Thank you that through your Word we are reminded that you honor faithful service—not proud strutting. May we be faithful today in many small ways. Amen.