The Humble God

There are many amazing things about the God of the Bible. One striking divine characteristic is humility. God is humble—extremely humble. I don’t mean God has feelings of inferiority or God is low in rank. I mean God is not the least bit proud or arrogant. God is the Most High who becomes the Most Low.

Isaiah

Consider Isaiah’s words:

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite. (57:15)

The exalted King dwells with the “lowly in spirit.”

Jesus

Christians see divine humility most clearly in the life of Jesus, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). Jesus even said, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt 11:29). Paul writes:

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! (Phil 2:5-8)

Notice the downward movement, from the incarnation to service to death on a cross. What kind of God would wrap a towel around his waist and wash dirty feet? What kind of God would allow himself to be stripped, mocked, spit on, flogged, and crucified by the people he created? Crucifixion is one of the most cruel and painful forms of execution ever conceived. How could God lower himself this much? This astonishing descent can only come from the burning flames of love.

Application

Since God is humble, we can only reach him by lowering ourselves. We must descend to him. This is why the Christian life begins by calling to the Lord for help and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13). We will never find the humble God by seeking to elevate ourselves through wealth, power, or knowledge. After the disciples reported their successful mission to Jesus, Luke says,

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.” (10:21)

Jesus rejoices because his Father hides things from the proud and reveals things to the humble. A blessing—a revelation—awaits those who lower themselves. If we don’t willingly lower ourselves, God may use circumstances to lower us, but he doesn’t do so out of cruelty. He died on a cross; he’s waiting at the bottom.

James tells his Christian readers that their fighting, coveting, and selfish prayers show that they are “adulterous people.” They are friends with the prideful world instead of friends with the humble God. Then he quotes this proverb: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (4:6) before advising, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (v. 10).

Likewise, Peter writes to his believing audience, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” then adds, “because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Pet 5:5). To be humble doesn’t mean to continually walk around feeling bad about yourself. There may be a time for “godly sorrow,” but the primary idea is to put others ahead of ourselves, to consider their interests before our own interests (Phil 2:3-4). Peter continues, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (vv. 6-7). Humble people are considerate of others and they continually ask God for help. The proud think about themselves and try to carry their burdens alone.

God is constantly stooping down to show us favor, but most of the time, we are too high and mighty for the humble God.

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Les Bridgeman

After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia and the U.S. I am passionate about the Bible and Bible related topics. Here’s a link to my book page.