Lessons in Humility–1. Elijah 1

The LORD … gives grace to the humble. – Proverbs 3:34 (CAB)

The entire Bible can be separated into the history of two kinds of people: those who are humble and those who are proud. Those who receive the grace of the LORD and those who are opposed by the LORD Himself.

But humility is not something that is well understood. Often poverty, sufferings or a low standing in the society misunderstood as humility. There are poor people who have so much pride, more than Bill Gates would ever have. There are people who have suffered immensely, but the moment the cloud of suffering leaves them, they show their true colors – a heart filled with pride.

To understand humility better, we need to look at the Biblical characters that are exalted by the LORD in a different manner. We look at Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and many other heroes in the Bible and we associate different reasons for why the LORD exalted them. Abraham with faith, Isaac with obedience, Jacob with perseverance, Joseph with purity, Moses with determination and David with worship. But beneath all these, there is one underlying quality in all these great people – HUMILITY.

The story of Elijah, the prophet who won mighty spiritual battles and who was taken into heaven in chariots of fire is given in the Bible for three reasons.

Reason.1: He is a man just like us. Often when we read the Holy Scriptures, we read with such awe and wonder about the heroes of the Bible, that we miss the entire point. Their stories are there to inspire us, to tell us that when we humble ourselves in the hands of the Almighty LORD as mere vessels, HE will use us in the mighty manner as He had used the heroes of the Bible. And, the Bible is very clear about how Elijah was just like you and me. “Elijah was a human being with a nature as we have (with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours)”, says the Bible (James 5:17 AMP). Oh, dear child of God! Are you feeling unworthy? Do you resent your life? Are you battling with depression? Did you expect something and those expectations were burned to the ground? Elijah went through every single one of those emotions. Yes, the life of Elijah is there to edify our life, so that we emerge as victorious as Elijah did.

Reason.2: Just like us, Elijah had problems with humility and the LORD taught him humility. His story is there to tell us that though we may have problems with pride, when we surrender ourselves to the LORD completely, when we confess openly that we are having trouble with humility, that we are a little proud at certain areas in our life, the LORD is not going to abandon us. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, HE is gentle and humble in His heart. When He knows that His sheep has problems, He will take that sheep on His shoulders and carry it to the destination. All you need to do now is just give yourself completely to the LORD who cares for you, to Jesus Christ, your Savior. When you do that, Jesus Christ Himself will be your Teacher and will lead you in the ways of life everlasting. Amen.

Reason.3: Finally, the reason why Elijah’s life is mentioned in the Bible is to show us how the LORD exalts when someone humbles himself before God. The name “Elijah” is always associated with power and mightiness. And Elijah did not reach that place in one day. All he did was humble himself before the LORD and in His grace, the LORD exalted Elijah before the eyes of everyone. Oh dear child of God, are you despised now by your family and friends? Are you being mocked for your failures? Humble yourselves in the mighty hands of the LORD and He will exalt you in the proper time. (1 Peter 5:6)

Bible Verse: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6 (TMB)

Prayer:

“Oh the LORD Almighty, God of Elijah, as I stand before You today, burdened by failures, shortcomings, depressions, bitterness and resentments, LORD, I humble myself. Without You, my life is meaningless and void. All I am asking for is Your grace alone, LORD, Your grace alone. In Your grace, remember me, Your bondservant. I ask You this in the Name of my Savior and Your only Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”