There is a quiet place of true contentment where a humble heart finds its home. It is a place where the humble heart settles into its true identity, looking up to our loving Creator and following Christ’s example as a gentle servant.
We begin by gazing on Almighty God, who created everything that exists. Without Him we could not draw a single breath. Heaven is His throne and earth His footstool. His thoughts are far above our highest intellect. To question God’s wisdom would be like a piece of pottery questioning the potter who made it.
When we experience the majesty of towering mountains, or the tumult of thrashing wind and waves, we realize our smallness. We experience awe and reverent fear of our powerful God! Exactly where we should be, for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.1 We are forced to step down from a self-view of boastful pride to the ground level of realistic acceptance 2 of our true position and reverence for our Creator.
Yet this awesome God esteems those who are humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at His word.3 He even guides the humble in what is right, for He is the only One in our world who is truly good and upright, who loves us unconditionally. Since He knows the future, who better to trust with our very lives!
The best example of humility was Jesus Christ. He left heaven—the position of highest acclaim— demoting Himself to become a servant in the world He had created. He lived His life for others, leaving his home and occupation to teach, heal, and feed masses of people. He then gave up His life for a torturous death that would ultimately pay the penalty of sin for all mankind. After His resurrection, He returned to His place of highest honor.
So how do we live in humility? Do we become a doormat or bow low to others? Do we become worthless or shameful? No! Our focus changes from personal ambition, envy, and self-driven plans to striving to look beyond our own interests. We begin to value the needs and interests of others ahead of our own plans.4
These deeds done in humility actually demonstrate heavenly wisdom—wisdom that is peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and sincere.5
The humble person wisely looks at life with gratitude to God and compassion for others. And thus, the humble heart comes home to peace.
4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility value others above yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3,4).
1 Proverbs 9:10; 2 Romans 12:3; 3 Isaiah 66:1, 2; 5 James 3:17
D. L. Moody—“I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts.”
Humble-Hearts-Scripture-PrayersTo download and print, click below.