HUMILITY, Ch. 11: Humility And Happiness

     This chapter's beginning Scripture is from Paul's epistle, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:  "Most gladly . . . will I . . . glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, for when I am weak then am I strong."  Andrew Murray uses this comment by Paul to develop the concept that true happiness in believers comes only from humility.  Here are some of Pastor Murray's points from Chapter 11, the next to last chapter of this book:

1.  Paul seemed to express here the basic idea of humility, which he received from some type of affliction.  When he asked for its removal, the Lord told him that it was a blessing, that His grace might be shown through it.  So Paul did more than simply put up with his affliction; he gladly gloried and took pleasure in it.

2.  Murray states that Christians must go through stages to get to having humility.  First there is fear of the humbling situation and attempts to avoid or get away from it.  Then there is the seeking to obey the Lord's commands to be humble, but meeting utter failure due to a sense of the burden of the situation.  There is no seeking of humility at all expense.  Finally there is the revelation of Jesus, leading to the banishment of all self-seeking, delight in every humiliation, and the choice of humility as the highest blessing of our Lord.  Paul went through all of that, and we are to learn his lesson.

3.  Once again, as in previous chapters, Pastor Murray makes the point that many Christians may be devoted and have zeal for God and Christ, being gifted believers and teachers who have "heavenly experiences," but be lacking in humility.  There is always the danger of religious self-exaltation in that setting.  Paul had some of that, and had to learn how to be nothing, that Jesus Christ might be all in him.  Believers must die to self, and learn the pleasure of lowliness, glorying in weakness, that God might be all.  "The highest holiness is the deepest humility," the author concludes.  Such humility does not come by itself or by man's efforts, but through "special dealing" by the Lord for His servant.

4.  These are questions we must ask ourselves.  Do we glory in weakness, have pleasure in our trials and distresses?  Do we regard criticisms and condemnations, whether fair or unfair, from friends or enemies, and troubles with others, as opportunities to prove our humility, that Jesus is all in us?  Do we regard our honor as nothing, and humiliation as our pleasure?  Do we live by this standard, that "it is . . . blessed . . . (to) happiness . . . to be so free from self that whatever is said about us or done to us is lost and swallowed up in the thought that Jesus is all."?

5.  We must fall back on Him who "managed Paul" to also "manage us."  Discipline and divine instruction are needed to learn the glory in weakness.  He can guard us against our self-focus and self-praise.  When we exalt ourselves He shows us that error and delivers us.  In trials and troubles He teaches us that His grace is all, and that we can have pleasure in humiliation.  His strength is made perfect in our failings; His presence fills our nothingness to open to us the secret of humility that never fails in His being all.  That is the lasting joy of humility; the Lord's power and sufficiency brings that joy.

6.  Pastor Murray sums up two lessons:  i)  "The danger of pride is greater and nearer than we think," especially at the times that we think we are having powerful spiritual experiences, when we may become full of self and proud in our blessings; and ii) "The grace for humility is greater and nearer, too, than we think,"  for the humility of Jesus is our salvation, and He is our humility; His grace meets the notion of our pride and allows us to choose to be lowly and nothing before Him, bringing joy and gladness in HIS humility in us.

7.  The chapter finishes with the author's admonition that we should, like Paul, gladly glory and take pleasure in all weaknesses which humble or humiliate us.  The power of Christ then gives us His humility.  "Let us heartily consent, let us trustfully and joyfully accept all that humbles.  The power of Christ will rest upon us.  We will find that the deepest humility is the secret of the truest happiness, of a joy that nothing can destroy."