Humble Hearts

Matthew 5:1-12

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. (Matthew 5:5)

MANY HIGH-PROFILE EXAMPLES from the worlds of sports, politics, and entertainment promote themselves and receive a lot of attention. They seem to enjoy their fame. But that sort of attitude is not highly valued in God’s Kingdom. Instead, Scripture points repeatedly to the lowly in heart, the humble, the poor in spirit, those who know how to bow before their God and serve their fellow humans. God is with such people and will exalt them at the proper time. They don’t have to promote themselves; they can trust God’s timing.

That’s one of the common themes that emerge in the Beatitudes, those statements of blessedness and flourishing that describe the Kingdom culture. And the promises are extraordinary. The poor in spirit and the humble of heart do not merely find God’s favor. They inherit the Kingdom of God and the land of his promise. These are ancient themes, of course; Jesus’ words draw on the psalmists and prophets of old. He not only affirms them but takes them a step further. Jesus promises the whole earth to the humble, and just a chapter later in Matthew 6:10, he tells his followers to pray for God’s Kingdom to come upon it. His reign involves a restoration of all that has fallen (Acts 3:21), and humble hearts get to be at the forefront of that project. He promotes those who did not promote themselves.

That’s one of the reasons Jesus was able to promise rest to those who are weary (Matthew 11:28). Forcing your own way through this world, climbing the ladder of success, and competing with everyone who is climbing the same ladder can be exhausting. Hard work and wise decisions are important, of course, but so is trust. Humble hearts are able to do that, and God opens doors for them in season. Embrace that attitude. You may not ever be surrounded by many fans, but you will find many friends. People are drawn to those who are at rest in their God. And you will be able to show them what it means to be blessed.

{Lord, teach me the balance between boldness of faith and humility of heart. I put my trust in you to open doors, lift me up, and establish me where you choose. May I fit the culture of your coming Kingdom perfectly. Amen.