Strength In Humility

Strength in Humility

Two brothers grew up tending the family land. One brother staying at the farm, but the other grew tired and Eventually moved to the big city, became a high-powered executive, and became a billionaire.

Decades later, the city brother returned to the village. Seeing his brother still working in the heat, he said, "Bro, I’ve made a name for myself; I’m a self made Billionaire. I’ve built my company from the ground up. I have 100 employees, We’re a strong company and I’ve franchised by business already. I have about 50 stores na in Metro Manila. I’ve been invited to speak in many conferences and conventions, I think i have about 3million followers now in Tiktok. Grabe diba, time flies. How about you bro? I haven’t seen you in a long time; you’re still here, still farming, still planting rice pa rin? Why don’t you do something important kasi, so that you can make a name for yourself. If I can do it; so can you bro!

The farmer brother stayed quiet for a moment, then wiped the sweat from his brow and pointed to the vast, golden rice paddy behind them.

"Look at the rice, brother," he said gently. "The stalks that stand up straight and stiff, yung payat and mataas, are the ones that are empty and hollow inside, walang laman..

But the stalks that are heavy with grain—the ones that are most fruitful, the most abundant, the most developed, the most mature—are the ones that bow the lowest to GOD."

Understand this brothers and sisters, the "bowing" of the rice stalk isn't a sign of weakness or low self-esteem; it is a sign of SUBSTANCE. His confidence isn't in his title or accomplishments, but in God who gave the rain and the growth.

1 Peter 5:5 – "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"

We often mistake humility for a lack of confidence. We think the humble person is the one who stays in the shadows, speaks in whispers, and doubts their own ability. But biblical humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is confidence in the greatness of God.

A humble man knows His identity in Christ and is NOT swayed by the identity the world wants him to become.

True humility comes from being so full of God’s grace that you don't need to stand tall to impress men.

The city brother on the other hand - stands tall but is "empty."

God, not only opposes the proud - HE gives a stern warning:

Obadiah 1:3-4 – "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'" Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.

This morning, I want us to go through this wonderful book of ESTHER. Where we will unpack our topic this morning on Humility. Are you ready. Alright. Please open your bibles to the book of Esther and we will start from the very first chapter..

A little bit of background, We are introduced to Xerxes. Xerxes wasn't just a leader; he was the ultimate 'Executive' of the world, ruling 127 provinces from India all the way to Ethiopia (Cush). For 180 days, he put on a massive display of his wealth—six months of display' to show the world his power.Imagine that! Six months of showing off.

He was like that brother in our story who went to the city and became hollow. He stood tall, he stood stiff, and he wanted everyone to look at him. But look at his heart: it was "merry with wine." It was empty.

When you are empty inside, you have to make a lot of noise and put on a big show to feel important.

Lets take it from Verse 10:

Esther 1:10–11

"On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him... to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at."

Then we have Queen Vashti. The King sends for her. He doesn’t want a wife; he wants a trophy. He wants to put her on display like a piece of furniture.

But Vashti refused. She simply said NO! Imagine saying no to the KING! Some people call that pride, - they will say, how can you say no to the KING!

BUT Humility is Confidence in God-given dignity.

The King was enraged. He stripped her of her crown. He sent out a decree. It cost Vashti everything.