Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift to run to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brethren.”
David, speaking to his son in Proverbs 6:16
In Proverbs 6, David listed for his son’s benefit seven things that God especially hates. Thinking on those things recently, I pondered over this question: If God especially hates those seven things, then what are their opposites, for God must especially love them? So, I sat down with my son Elijah and we set about to determine what seven things are especially precious to God. This is the first of those seven precious things.
If God abhors a proud look, then He must especially love an humble attitude and meek demeanor. Moses, we know, held a special place in God’s heart. He was even allowed to see God (from behind), which is as much as a human being could bear to see while in this mortal body, for God said, “No man can see my face and live” (Ex. 33:20). But what else are we told about Moses? We are told that he was “the meekest man upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). This explains why he was allowed the very great privilege of seeing God. Meekness brings us close to God and His blessings. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” The proud are going to be cast into the Lake of Fire.
Jesus also held a special place in God’s heart as His only begotten Son, and what did Jesus say about himself? “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Mt. 11:28-29). “And because of this”, Paul said, “God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus should bow every knee belonging to heavenly beings, and to earthly beings, and to those who are under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phip. 2:9-11).
Years ago, a brother pointed out to me that there are two places where God can always be found. Then he directed me to Isaiah 57:15, where that great man of God tells us what those two places are: “For thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
The proud and the arrogant may occupy high places in this world, but when we consider their ultimate end, when we consider what happens beyond this “veil of tears”, we can perceive the wisdom of Solomon who said, “With the lowly is wisdom” (Prov. 11:2). He also warned his children that “Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility” (Prov. 18:12).
God is repulsed at the vanity of mortals who, although born more helpless than many animals, puff themselves up against His love and truth. “Vain man would be wise,” said Job, “though man be born like a wild ass’ colt” (Job 11:12).
Don’t you want God to bless you? Don’t you want God to draw near to you with His loving kindness and protecting power? If so, then shun the vain stylishness and attitude of this proud world and humble yourself before the Lord. Dress humbly; speak humbly; live humbly. God doesn’t require much of us; if He did, we would all fail miserably. Listen to the words of Micah: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”