Which other scriptures emphasize God's preference for the humble and lowly? Remembering our calling “Brothers, consider your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.” (1 Corinthians 1:26) Old Testament foundations for God’s preference • Psalm 34:18 — “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.” • Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” • Psalm 138:6 — “Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar.” • Isaiah 57:15 — “I dwell in a high and holy place, but also with the contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.” • Isaiah 66:2 — “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to walk humbly with your God.” • Zephaniah 2:3 — “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land… seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.” • Deuteronomy 7:7 — “It was not because you were more numerous than the other peoples that the LORD set His affection on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples.” These passages show that from the start God singles out the small, the overlooked, the contrite. Jesus’ teaching and example • Matthew 5:3 — “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” • Matthew 11:25 — “You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” • Luke 1:51-53 — “He has brought down rulers… but has exalted the humble.” • Luke 14:11 — “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” • Luke 18:14 — “The tax collector went home justified… for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.” • John 13:3-5 — Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, displaying true greatness through lowly service. In word and deed, the Lord Himself embodies what He commends. The apostles explain and apply the principle • James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • 1 Peter 5:5-6 — “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another… Humble yourselves… so that in due time He may exalt you.” • Philippians 2:8-9 — “He humbled Himself… Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place.” • 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My power is perfected in weakness… I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses.” • 1 Timothy 1:15-16 — “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst… so that in me, the worst, Christ might display His unlimited patience.” These texts carry the Old Testament pattern right into church life, insisting that grace rests on the lowly. Why God delights in the humble • Humility shifts the spotlight from human ability to divine power, making room for God’s glory. • The lowly heart is teachable and ready to obey, so the Word can take root. • Choosing the “nobodies” silences human boasting (1 Corinthians 1:29). • The humble reflect Christ, whose path went downward before it went upward. Living out humility today • Celebrate God’s choice of the unlikely—remember personal salvation stories that prove it. • Serve in unnoticed ways, following the Savior who washed feet. • Keep short accounts with God: confess sin quickly and fully. • Receive correction gladly, trusting the Spirit to shape Christlike character. • Use any influence or resources to lift up the overlooked, echoing the heart of the Father who raises the lowly. |
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