Humility a Reasonable Requirement

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and 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) The Hebrew rendering of this last sentence reads: “humble thyself to walk with thy God.” We have the same admonition from apostles James and Peter. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”* (James 4:10) “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”* (1 Peter 5:6)

This implies implicit obedience to all the requirements of God—a perfect agreement with Him. There is a striking difference between the omnipotent sovereignty of God and humility. A walk with God at once suggests an exalted and lofty position, quite opposite from one of humiliation. This is all clear when we see that humiliation is the requirement necessary for exaltation. It is a sinking before a rising. A humiliation of all that pertains to self, that there may be in us the exaltation of God in all His perfect will. This is what exalts us. It is God working in us “both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”* (Philippians 2:13) This is the most exalted and honored position that redeemed mortals on earth could ever desire.

Enoch must have enjoyed a life similar in many respects to this; for he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He humbled himself to walk with his God. His exaltation was so great and his walk so perfect and the harmony so complete, that it would seem that God could not do without him, and “took him.” A wonderful exaltation, and yet no greater in the part of his life on earth with God than ours should be.

All this divine requirement is for our highest good. It is also a most reasonable demand. Every earthly king demands as much of his subjects. Who could reasonably expect a promoted position for life with a king, without a complete submission to all his sovereign will? Thus we through true humility may rise into the glorious life interests with God. A few more Scriptures will emphasize this thought, that humility precedes honor.

“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”* (Proverbs 15:33)

“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”* (Proverbs 18:12)

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.”* (Proverbs 22:4)

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”* (Proverbs 29:23)