“God giveth grace unto the humble” (James iv. 6).
One of the marks of highest worth is deep lowliness. The shallow nature,
conscious of its weakness and insufficiency, is always trying to advertise
itself and make sure of its being appreciated. The strong nature,
conscious of its strength, is willing to wait and let its work be made
manifest in due time. Indeed, the truest natures are so free from all
self-consciousness and self-consideration that their object is not to be
appreciated, understood or recompensed, but to accomplish their true
mission and fulfil the real work of life.
One of the most suggestive expressions used respecting the Lord Jesus is
given by the evangelist John in the thirteenth chapter of His Gospel,
where we read, “Jesus, knowing that He came from God, and went to God,
riseth from supper and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” It was because
He knew His high dignity and His high destiny that He could stoop to the
lowest place and that place could not degrade Him.
God give to us the Divine insignia of heavenly rank, a bowed head, a meek
and lowly spirit.