Time for humble pie???

The other day I decided to do a little search on what God says about humility. I think it's fair to say that there are quite a lot of references. God obviously thinks a lot of it...

This is not an exhaustive list, and in no particular order, but I think it's worth thinking about, especially when the same thing is repeated 2 or 3 times.

Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour.

Proverbs 18:12 - Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour.

Proverbs 22:4 - The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honour and life.

Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

Ephesians 4:2 - with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Colossians 3:12 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

1 Peter 5:5+6 - Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”

Deuteronomy 8:16 - who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.

2 Samuel 22:28 - You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

2 Chronicles 34:27 - because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.

Psalm 18:27 - For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

Psalm 25:9 - He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Psalm 34:2 - My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Psalm 69:32 - When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

Psalm 76:9 - when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

Psalm 147:6 - The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.

Psalm 149:4 - For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

Proverbs 3:34 - Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favour.

Proverbs 11:2 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Isaiah 66:2 - All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Micah 6:8 - He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 11:29 take up my yoke upon you, and learn from me, because I am meek and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls,

  

Matthew 21:5 - “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

Matthew 23:12 - Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

James 4:6 - But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.


Hope you're as challenged as I was.

Christ's glorious love

Ever since I heard this hymn, I loved it. Tonight was the first time I have heard the 4th verse. I've looked it up before and not seen a 4th verse. I think it's beautiful.

How amazing that the Lord Most High, the King before whom every knee will bow, the Creator of all things, has bowed down low! I'm so glad that He chose to bestow His glorious love on me! Truly we should never cease from singing His praise for the wonderful blessings of mercy, grace, forgiveness and loving-kindness that He has showered upon us! What a privilege to be His child, because He made it possible for us to be reconciled to God.

Strength

This is by no means an exhaustive list of Scriptures mentioning Strength, but I found them very encouraging. I hope you do too.

"The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 

He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him." Exodus 15:2

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him." Psalm 28:7

"For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth." Psalm 31:4-5

"For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" Psalm 43:2

"Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob." Psalm 81:1

"The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." Psalm 118:14

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;

‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Isaiah 12:2

"Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him." Isaiah 45:24

"O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction," Jeremiah 16:19

"The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills." Habakkuk 3:19

I wasn’t aware that there were so many different versions of strength in Scripture. I counted at least 5. I found it quite interesting seeing the differences.

Definitions from Strong’s Concordance:

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise): - boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.

properly a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally a rock or boulder; figuratively a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous): - edge, X (mighty) God (one), rock, X sharp, stone, X strength, X strong

a fortified place; figuratively a defence: - force, fort (-ress), rock, strength (-en), (X most) strong (hold).

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength: - able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10

I was thinking for awhile about the Lord being our strength, but I was still acting like I had to be strong myself. Now I realise that I missed the point. It is humbling to admit that we have no strength in and of ourselves; we have to rely on the Lord’s strengthening. We can rejoice that God won the victory for us, despite how often we are still so weak. The Lord has all strength and He will equip us with all the fortitude necessary for the things to which He calls us. When we trust Him, He is our refuge and defense. We are secure in Him. A friend of mine gave me these wise words on this subject, but it’s applicable to any truth in Scripture: “It won’t do you any good until you believe and act on it!”

“Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

I’d say that was an excellent reason to rejoice!