People, Humility & God

Hi everyone – following a break I’m now recording my Bible reading reflections again.  Here’s something that struck me from a reading of a couple of weeks ago.

In Exodus 10 we read:  ”So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh and told him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: ‘How long do you refuse to humble yourself before me? Release my people so that they may serve me!’ ” ” (NET)

The theme of humility before God is a common one in scripture.  In James 4:6 we are told “But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”” (NET)  Jesus himself in the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector teaches that it is the Tax Collector who goes home justified because he has approached God in humility rather than in pride.

Pride can show through in numerous ways.  An unwillingness to accept correction.  An unteachable spirit.  When we stop reading, fail to attend seminars, stop listening to sermons, don’t put aside time to meet with a mentor – these can all be signs that perhaps we have become too secure in our own abilities.

Alternately, a hunger to learn and the pursuit of learning can help us to start to recognise our own weaknesses and failings.  In turn this can lead to repentance as we acknowledge our frailty before God – then God will give grace!  What a wonderful promise!

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