Humility

by G. Jarvie | Category: For Young Believers | May 1952

Now the man Moses was very meek above all men that were upon, the face of the earth" (Numbers 12.1).

It is interesting to read this testimony from God to His faithful servant. Miriam and Aaron had spoken against Moses. Evidently the cause was jealousy and secret pride in the heart, and from the LORD'S judgement upon Miriam it seems that she was chief in this matter. It should make us fear pride more, when we read about it in the lives of those two saints of God whom the LORD had used so much in leading His people. Pride is the most common of all sins and it seems to be the parent of all other sins. Through pride Satan fell (Isaiah 14.12, 18; Ezekiel 28.17). It is the sin into which the righteous sometimes fall. Indeed the righteous seem to be more liable to it than sinners whose sin is open or immoral.

What is the corrective for this constant tendency in our hearts? It is to keep our eyes and our hearts fixed upon Christ. We cannot possibly go wrong if we abide in Him. This is our only safe place from this awful sin. He only is our Rock and our Salvation (Psalm 62.6).

"Doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself" (Philippians 2.8).

This is a test by which we can try our hearts. If in our hearts there is a secret regard for ourselves above others, then there is pride the awful thing! What shall we do with it? How shall we overcome it? Let us bring it to the Cross, and alone on our knees with God ask Him to deal with us in the power of His Spirit.

"Forbid that we should ever boast

Save in the Cross of Christ, 0 God;

All the vain things that charmed us most,

We sacrifice them to His blood."

"The man Moses was very meek." His dealings with God had made him so. This was no natural trait in Moses, any more than it is in us." Dealings with God will humble us too, and it is well for us when we have these dealings. Without these we shall be like branches without fruit-useless! A few leaves perhaps, but no fruit!

Let us listen often to the Master's words

"Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly

in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11.29).

So the man whom God used to lead His people through the wilderness was "very meek." This is a great lesson to us all, and especially to young disciples who are looking forward to life and service for the Lord. To walk humbly is to walk surely.

"What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6.8).

G. Jarvie | May 1952
For Young Believers