I have often wondered what humility is, in the sight of God. Humility is a word often used in the world too. But I see a vast difference in the way the world looks at it, from the way that God defines it.

When the world describes humility, it usually equates it to ‘simplicity’. For example when a highly regarded person cleans up his house, or presses his own clothes, or walks to a little shop instead of using his BMW, the world calls them humble. Surely it is a great trait indeed, but God defines humility in a little different way.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5.

Humility in God’s eyes, as understood from the life stories of several men and women of God in the Scriptures, is ‘leaning on God for everything’. Being God-dependent rather than independent, is what God considers as Humility.

Let’s look at David. He was one of Israels greatest Kings. Until this day, Israel honors King David. If we do a brief study of his life, we continuously see how he sought God, day and night. There were times in his life when his own people picked up stones to kill him because all their wives and children were taken away by their enemies. But the Word of God says, he found his strength in God and even still, sought God’s counsel as to what he needed to do next. Though he was a mighty warrior from childhood, he still humbled himself EVERY single time to seek God’s counsel, something that not very many Kings of Israel, did. Most Kings moved in their own wisdom, but David sought God for everything.

If we look at the life of Moses, God himself gave witness that he was the most humble man on Earth.

“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” Numbers 12:3

Why did God say that? The children of Israel wanted to stone him to death too, several times in the wilderness. Here’s what I believe it is. There was no other man on Earth who sought God’s face for the sake of the children of Israel, as much as Moses did. The Israelites grumbled and complained at every possible instance, but Moses was always willing to fall on his face and plead for God’s mercy and direction, for the sake of Israel. He constantly sought God.

When man begins to think he can get things done by his power, intellect and wisdom, that’s a sign of pride. We, in our fragile human strength are capable of nothing.

But everytime we fall before the face of God, like Solomon did, and cry out, “Lord, I can’t do what you’ve called me to do, without YOU”, that’s Humility!

Humility is not just simplicity, but a trained trait to seek God in everything, acknowledging that ‘Without Him we can do nothing.” John 15:5

Blessed week ahead!