How Is Humility Lived Out? Series

Introduction

I look around the world today and I don’t see what I consider to be a lot of humility these days. And then I thought to myself, maybe it is me, maybe I don’t know what humility looks like. Maybe, I don’t know what I am looking for. I know this I need to know what humility looks like, and I know you need to know what humility looks like because God makes it plain in James 4:6 “6 ....“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” And we both need all the grace our God will give us.

And so, I am so glad that in our passage of Scripture today God teaches us what humility looks like. Let’s begin by reading our Scripture and then make some comments as to what humility looks like. And then as we come to the invitation, I want you to ask yourself in your day-to-day life if you exhibit humility. Is that you, do you walk humbly?

Scripture

Daniel 4:34–37 (NKJV)

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

He does according to His will in the army of heaven

And among the inhabitants of the earth.

No one can restrain His hand

Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

POINT #1

For the Christian, humility looks like not drawing any attention to yourself but serving faithfully where you are awaiting the king’s return.

I learn a lot about Daniel and his humility between verses 33 and 34. King Nebuchadnezzar has been banished by God to the field to live like an animal for seven years.

Babylon, the most powerful kingdom in the world, must continue to go on. So, the number two man must move up to the number one slot. Just like in America, if something happens to the President, the number two person, the Vice President moves up to number one.

Well, we know in Babylon that Daniel is the second in charge behind the king. Daniel 2:48 tells us so. “48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel was the number two man, now, he is the number one man.

But look between verses 33 and 34, Daniel did not call any attention to himself. He could have easily draw attention to himself. He could have said I like being the top dog, I will call in the captain of the guards and have that wild beast of a king killed. He didn’t do that.

I know what Daniel really would like to have done, he could have issued a decree that he and all the people that were exiled from Israel be returned to Israel. But he didn’t.

What I see that Daniel did do was serve faithfully to the king drawing little or no attention to himself awaiting the king’s return. And Daniel was confident that the king would return because God told Daniel so in the dream that he interpreted for the king.

Daniel 4:26 “26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.”

Do you realize what Daniel did is exactly what we should be doing as Christians? Our King Jesus told us that He is going to return and to keep doing the work until I return. So, our job is to service him faithfully without calling attention to ourselves until his return.

If you are servicing God faithfully but you are calling all kind of attention to yourself, you are not serving God humbly because it is not about you; it is about God.