Topical Bible: Humility: The Who Have: Heard by God

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Humility is a central theme in the Bible, often depicted as a virtue that draws the attention and favor of God. Those who embody humility are frequently portrayed as individuals who are heard by God, receiving His guidance, wisdom, and blessings. The Scriptures provide numerous examples of humble individuals whose prayers and cries were acknowledged by the Almighty.

Moses
Moses is a quintessential example of humility in the Bible. Numbers 12:3 describes him as "a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth." Despite his significant role as the leader of the Israelites, Moses consistently demonstrated a humble spirit, seeking God's guidance and interceding for the people. His humility was a key reason why God spoke to him "face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11).

Hannah
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, exemplifies humility through her earnest prayer and vow to God. In her deep distress over her barrenness, she prayed fervently at the temple, promising to dedicate her child to the Lord if He granted her a son. Her humble petition was heard by God, and she bore Samuel, who would become a great prophet. 1 Samuel 1:20 states, "So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I have asked for him from the LORD.'"

David
King David, despite his royal status, often displayed humility before God. In Psalm 51, David's prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba reveals a contrite heart. He acknowledges his transgressions and seeks God's mercy, saying, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). David's humility and repentance were met with God's forgiveness and continued favor.

Solomon
Solomon, known for his wisdom, began his reign with a humble request to God. In 1 Kings 3:7-9, Solomon acknowledges his youth and inexperience, asking God for "an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." His humility in seeking wisdom over wealth or power pleased God, who granted him unparalleled wisdom and also blessed him with riches and honor.

Hezekiah
King Hezekiah's humility is evident in his response to the threat from the Assyrian king Sennacherib. In 2 Kings 19:14-19, Hezekiah goes to the house of the Lord and spreads the threatening letter before God, praying for deliverance. His humble reliance on God resulted in divine intervention, as the angel of the Lord struck down the Assyrian army, saving Jerusalem.

The Canaanite Woman
In the New Testament, the Canaanite woman demonstrates humility in her interaction with Jesus. Despite being initially rebuffed, she persists in her plea for her daughter's healing, humbly accepting her position and expressing faith in Jesus' power. Her humility and faith are rewarded, as Jesus commends her and grants her request, saying, "O woman, your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire" (Matthew 15:28).

The Centurion
The Roman centurion, whose servant was ill, approached Jesus with a profound sense of humility. Acknowledging his unworthiness for Jesus to enter his home, he expressed faith in Jesus' authority to heal with just a word. Jesus marveled at his faith, saying, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:10). The centurion's humility and faith resulted in the healing of his servant.

These biblical accounts illustrate that humility is a powerful attribute that captures God's attention. Those who approach God with a humble heart are often met with His grace, guidance, and intervention, demonstrating the profound truth that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 9:12
When he makes inquisition for blood, he remembers them: he forgets not the cry of the humble.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 10:17
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How all the Words of God are to be Heard with Humility, and How ...
... forth for vain approbation, but to be heard in silence, and to be received with
all humility and with ... What I have promised I will give; what I have said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter iii how all the.htm

Psalm CXXXI.
... Because humility of heart is a sacrifice....If there is ... what sacrifice we ought to
offer; for God is not pleased with burnt-offerings, as ye have heard in the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxi.htm

Humility.
... look at some of the Bible characters that have been clothed with meekness and humility,
and see ... He might have said: ... Haven't you heard of my fame as a preacher? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/humility.htm

Of the Second Degree of Our Inward Exercise, which Increases ...
... OF OUR INWARD EXERCISE, WHICH INCREASES INWARDNESS BY HUMILITY. ... in the way of which
you have heard in the ... we experience in these virtues, have been offered up ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xvii of the second.htm

Of a Spiritual Going Out with all virtues
... through charity and a pure conscience, as you have heard before ... grace and through
charity; and if, further, you have gazed well ... And this foundation is humility. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xi of a spiritual.htm

"We have Found the Messias"
... who at Christ's baptism had beheld the divine glory, and had heard the voice of ... If
He had appeared with kingly pomp, how could He have taught humility? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 14 we have found.htm

Thirty-First Day. Holiness and Heaven.
... Most Holy God! who hast called us to be holy, we have heard Thy voice asking, What ...
With our whole soul we answer in deep contrition and humility: Holy Father! ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/thirty-first day holiness and heaven.htm

Letter xvii. --Confidence in God.
... see their own progress, nor their patience, humility and abandonment ... truth of this
rule that I have heard her say ... same intention she often said to God, "Lord, I ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xvii confidence in god.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 2, "Now when John Heard in ...
... John was commended, as ye have heard, by the testimony of Christ, and ... the mistake
would have continued, and he would have been reputed ... What striking humility! ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xvi on the words.htm

Christ's Friendship: Its Intimacy
... inner circle, into some knowledge of God's more secret ... are waited for in dependence
and humility, and faithfully ... friends; for all things I have heard from my ...
/.../christs friendship its intimacy.htm