The Blessings of Humility

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the humble,
for they will inherit the earth.

(CSB)

In a modern society and culture that rewards those with confidence exuding rugged individualism, the thought of the humble inheriting the earth is unthinkable.  However, Jesus, the humble servant who left the glory of heaven to become a man who would later die for sins he did not commit, providing salvation for all who choose to believe (John 3:16) is even more unthinkable.  Besides providing salvation and a restored relationship with God the creator, Jesus also provided an example of perfect humility that will result in Him literally inheriting the earth when He returns to establish his Millennial rein on earth (Revelation 11:15). 

Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that pride, the anthesis of humility, precedes destruction and a fall with the Bible full of examples of men and women who fell due to arrogant pride.  While most of us will never have a kingdom to lose due to pride, we can still suffer loss of relationships, money, career, and even intimacy with God due to pride.  Pride caused,

1)      The arrogant pride of Pharaoh’s magicians in Exodus – We find an example of arrogant price in Exodus 8:6-7.  Moses has called up the plague of frogs from the waters of Egypt with the magicians of Pharaoh doing the same thing in prideful arrogance.  Not mentioned but implied in this passage is the people of Egypt now having to deal with an even greater plague of frogs due to the arrogant pride of Pharaoh’s magicians. 

2)      The Idolatrous pride of Ahab and Jezebel – We recently witnessed a royal wedding in England, but the royal wedding of Ahab and Jezebel would lead to the downfall and exile of the entire nation of Israel.  This is because Jezebel, the daughter of the king of the Sidonians, caused King Ahab to forsake his God and instead worship the pagan god Baal (1 Kings 16:29-33).  As promised in Deuteronomy 28:36, this abandonment of God led to the exile of the nation of Israel.  Ahab and Jezebel had pride in themselves and their idols refusing to make God the center of their leadership of God’s people.  What idols do we pridefully worship that take our focus of God.  Is it our career, sports, money, material possessions, academic achievement?  While in and of themselves these things are not evil, they are demonstrations of pride in our lives if they take the place of God. 

3)      The religious pride of Caiaphas – Matthew 26:57-68 records the trial, or so-called trial, of Jesus before the Sanhedrin.  There is no fairness in this trial for Jesus, the defendant, did not have an opportunity to call any witnesses.  Jesus often pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his time.  Examples of their pride are the sounding of a trumpet when giving (Matthew 6:2), praying loudly (Matthew 6:5), appearing gloomy when fasting (Matthew 6:16).  Perhaps the major point of contention for these religious leaders was their denunciation by Christ in Matthew 23:1-36. 

We must learn from the fall of these men and women and instead of following their example, follow the example of Christ.  Christ is the humble servant who even though he never sinned, took our sins upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21).  While this humble suffering and death is a polar opposite of how the world views a great leader, in fulfillment of Matthew 5:5, Jesus will inherit an eternal kingdom (Revelation 22:5). 

The greatest news for all reading this is you have an opportunity to rein for eternity with Christ when he establishes his earthly kingdom.  However, to do this there is an act of humility to perform.  This act does not require suffering but surrender, surrender of one’s life to Jesus, making him the center of your heart.  This act is simple to perform for all that is necessary is to pray,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

With this simple act of humility everyone praying this prayer now has inherited the earth through their inclusion in the coming Kingdom of God.  I encourage everyone that prayed to find a church where you can learn more about the Lord, for you will be with Him for eternity.  I also encourage you to tell someone else about what has just happened giving them an opportunity to inherit eternal life. 

May God bless everyone reading this.