Readings for today: Judges 6-9
One of my favorite books is by Andrew Murray. It’s a classic titled Humility. A short little read with insights packed into every page. Here is how he defines humility. “Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all...The highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It can do this only as it is willing to be nothing in itself, that God may be all. Water always fills first the lowest places. The lower, the emptier a man lies before God, the speedier and the fuller will be the inflow of the diving glory.”
I think we can all agree humility is a virtue sorely lacking in our world today. Even in the face of a life-threatening pandemic, too many of us still cling to our pride, arrogance, entitlement, and self-indulgence. I think of the young kids ignoring the danger to party on the beaches of Florida during spring break. I think of the politicians who simply cannot help themselves and use this crisis to score political points against the opposition. I think of the blame game the media engages in as it attempts to stoke our fears and outrage. I think of the pastors who still gather their churches in defiance of the best advice our public health officials have to offer. It’s heartbreaking. It’s sinful. It’s the spirit of self-righteousness that God hates so much. And none of us are immune. Sure, we know how to say the right things. “God is first in my life!” “I love God the most!” “God is my all in all!” We sing songs that declare these truths. We sit through sermons where these truths are proclaimed. We tell these things to our Christian friends. But one look at our schedule. One look at our bank account. A glance at our Twitter feed, Instagram, or Facebook account. A moment of honest self-reflection. All these conspire to reveal what we really believe. We are our own gods.
Gideon was different. Not perfect. Not blameless in his generation. Not powerful and mighty among men. No, what marked him was his humility. The angel of the Lord found him treading out grain in a winepress. Providing for his family at great risk to himself. When the Lord called him to become the next judge over Israel, Gideon echoes Moses at the burning bush. “Who am I that you would send me?” So unsure of himself, he puts God to the test by laying out a fleece not once but twice! God honors his humble heart. Gideon was humble enough to place his faith and trust into action. He tears down the altar of Baal. He sends home his entire army before battle. And then, when confronted at the beginning of Judges 8 by the Ephraimites who wanted to claim the glory, he humbled himself before them and honored them. It’s a stunning display. Finally, when it is all said and done, the people want to make him king. He refuses the crown. He refuses to take God’s rightful place in their lives. In the words of Murray, Gideon understood “the highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God.”
What about us? What does humility look like in our own lives? Surely, it is more than words. It is life lived intentionally under the sovereign authority of God. A life lost in the vision that God is all. A life lived before God, submitted to God, surrendered to God. What does such a life look like in the 21st century in the midst of a global pandemic? It is a life of worship. Daily. Weekly. It is a life of Sabbath rest as we shelter in place. It is a life of prayer. It is a life of reflection on the Scriptures. It’s a life spent serving those we love. Our families. Our friends. Our neighbors. Ultimately, it’s a life of service to the Kingdom. It’s a life of devotion to our Lord. It’s a life that intentionally directs all its resources - time, talent, treasure - towards God. It is a life that engages the world while remaining set apart. A life of risk where safety and comfort are sacrificed for the sake of the gospel.
Readings for tomorrow: Judges 10-13