“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:6-8)
The problem in Micah’s day is an age old problem that still exists today. Religion had become a matter of external emphasis to the neglect of the internal. Micah was a contemporary with Isaiah, and Isaiah’s analysis of religion was that the people were only offering lip service to God (Isaiah 29:13). Of course, Jesus quoted Isaiah regarding much of the religion of the Lord’s day as well, when He said, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Genuine religion comes from the inside! God seeks to change the inner man – the mind, the volition and the will. Walking in humility requires sincerity from the heart. What does walking humbly look like? What does it entail?
Firstly, consider the meaning of humility. In the Lord’s beatitudes, Jesus placed a blessing on the humble (Matthew 5:3). Humility literally means to recognize one’s spiritual poverty apart from God. The Lord illustrated this point in Luke 18:9-14. Unlike the Pharisee, the Publican recognized his spiritual deficiency. He realized that his righteousness was nothing more than filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). God demands that His people be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5-7).
Secondly, consider some manifestations of humility. Possibly the greatest manifestation of humility is Teach-ability. Some have a “know it all attitude,” which prohibits them from being taught anything. Jesus’ example of this was clear in Matthew 18:1-4 when He pulled a small child in His midst. Children are teachable; in fact, usually children inundate their parents with question after question wanting to know more. Another manifestation of humility is dependency. Proud people attempt to be self-sufficient, even to the point they often feel they do not need God. Of course, the Publican in Luke 18:13 realized his total dependency on God, wonderfully manifesting humility.
Thirdly, consider the method of humility, “walk humbly with God.” Many attempt to walk with God on “their” terms, which is the opposite of humility. Note carefully, it is not just “walking with God,” but it is the method by which one walks that matters. Enoch walked with God, and that walk rewarded him greatly (Genesis 5:24). Noah walked with God, and that walk saved him and his entire family (Genesis 6:9). The method of walking with God involves communication. Reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word enables God to talk to us (Psalm 1; 119:11; James 1:21). Prayer enables us to talk to God (1 Peter 3:12). Proud people, though, seek their own instruction, but humble people rely on divine instruction. The method of walking with God involves association. Humility recognizes that “no man is an island.” We need others to encourage our walk. The early church recognized this association and took full advantage of its power (Acts 2:46; 5:42).
Pride in the days of Micah was leading people away from God. Their religion had degenerated to externals; the heart was far from God. When the heart of man is truly converted, he will walk each day in humility. Be careful of how you walk because heaven is at stake (Matthew 5:3)!
