Once when Johann Sebastian Bach was praised for his skill as an organist he said, "There's nothing very wonderful about it; you have only to hit the right notes at the right moment and the instrument does the rest." This musical genius whose religious cantatas and brilliant organ works continue to be performed 300 years after his death exhibited a rare humility. Before he wrote a note of music he would scratch two words at the top of the page: Jesu Juva . . . "Jesus, help me."

A humble attitude is uncommon in any sphere of life. The temptation of human nature is to exalt self and put others down. However the Bible clearly outlines God's standard for Christians. "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

Here are examples of people the Bible describes as humble. The principles that guided their lives will help you in your quest for humility.

Jesus came as a servant.

He was God and King, yet he laid aside the rights of kingship when he walked among us. He washed his disciples' feet. He touched debased humanity: lepers, tax-collectors, and prostitutes. He "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). When we choose to follow Christ we relinquish our right to receive honor or be served. As Christ's followers we seek to give preference to others, willingly serving them.

Children depend on others.

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4). Children are not self-sufficient, but have a healthy sense of where they can receive help. So it is with Christians; we can't make it on our own, but humbly acknowledge, "My help comes from the Lord"
(Psalm 121:2).

John the Baptist obeyed.

John had a clear sense of his mission in life and aimed at obedience. He said, "He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30). In contrast to the proud Pharisees and Sadducees of his day John is said to be a "voice" (Mark 1:3). The believer is also willing to serve behind the scenes without recognition, being only a "voice."

Moses did not defend himself.

Moses is described as "a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). Aaron and Miriam, jealous of their brother's power and influence, criticized Moses. Yet he did not say a word in his defense. The humble person sees no need to defend himself when he is accused. The Scripture assures us that God delights to come to the aid of the humble. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

How humility is achieved.

A humble attitude is a choice. "Humble yourself, therefore, under God's mighty hand" (1 Peter 5:6). Day after day we make a conscious effort to walk as Jesus did. Prayer, asking for God's help, is an act of humility and demonstrates our dependence upon Almighty God.

In day-to-day relationships we prefer others, avoiding the human tendency to dominate conversations with our concerns. Rather, we listen to people. "In humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3, 4).

Rewards of the humble.

God hears the prayers of the humble. "If my people . . . will humble themselves and pray and seek my face . . . then will I hear from heaven" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

God abides with the humble person. "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit" (Isaiah 57:15).

God directs the decisions of the humble person. "He guides the humble in what is right" (Psalm 25:9).

Choosing a humble attitude is a wise choice. "Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud" (Proverbs 16:19).

God honors the humble. "He who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

A humble attitude paves the way to God's blessings. "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life" (Proverbs 22:4).

A prideful attitude is not acceptable for Christ's follower. Neither is self-exaltation. Rather, the person who walks with the carpenter from Nazareth chooses the path of humility.

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - Bringing Christ to French Guiana
November 1, 2009 - Walking the edge
October 18, 2009 - Watch what you say
October 4, 2009 - Proposing a new proverb
September 20, 2009 - Fear and trembling
September 6, 2009 - Elwyn
August 23, 2009 - Where did the Bible go?
August 9, 2009 - The public school: a local mission field
July 26, 2009 - Astonishing the judges
July 12, 2009 - Letting the past go
June 28, 2009 - Line up
June 14, 2009 - The path to spiritual growth
May 31, 2009 - A tribute to one of my heroes
May 17, 2009 - Silent soldier
April 19, 2009 - Operation Resensitization
April 5, 2009 - The temptations of ministers
March 8, 2009 - Conversation over shoes
February 22, 2009 - By their plurals you shall know them
February 8, 2009 - What is missing from your retirement plans?
January 25, 2009 - Turn the page
December 28, 2008 - Abba, Father
December 14, 2008 - Elementary truths
November 30, 2008 - The illusion
October 19, 2008 - Acting like a toddler
October 5, 2008 - Don’t miss this
September 21, 2008 - Foolish schemes
September 7, 2008 - God’s hand is everywhere
August 24, 2008 - The dance
August 10, 2008 - Strange land
July 27, 2008 - God’s amazing grace
July 13, 2008 - A best seller
June 29, 2008 - My grandfather’s clock and worship
June 1, 2008 - Reclaiming the name
May 4, 2008 - God is not our fairy godmother
April 6, 2008 - Success: what is it and who can measure up?
March 9, 2008 - Need to know
February 10, 2008 - The top three myths of singleness
January 13, 2008 - By invitation only
December 5, 2007 - Yes, Abbie, there is a Jesus
November 18, 2007 - 10 Ways to be a good Christmas customer
October 21, 2007 - The dividing line
September 23, 2007 - What do you fear?
September 9, 2007 - A life well lived
August 26, 2007 - To murmur, or not to murmur
July 29, 2007 - The cross and the Christian
July 15, 2007 - Turning the other cheek: still a valuable biblical principle
July 1, 2007 - Why the tie?
June 3, 2007 - The death of a son
May 6, 2007 - A prayer for the dying
April 8, 2007 - The omnipresent God
March 11, 2007 - Do the Amish have superheroes?
February 11, 2007 - What’s your black history?
January 14, 2007 - The split branch
December 31, 2006 - The house of regret
December 10, 2006 - The redemption of the innkeeper
November 26, 2006 - Too many choices
November 12, 2006 - Break the bashing habit: Learning to love the unsaved like Christ does: November 12, 2006
October 15, 2006 - Be ‘salt and light’ this Christmas!: October 15, 2006
September 17, 2006 - Who is a legalist?: September 17, 2006 Issue 38
July 23, 2006 - God speaks through our brokenness: July 23, 2006 Issue 38
June 25, 2006 - 'What I am looking for in my church leaders'