Dear Lizzie Mae,

"He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. -- Proverbs 3:34" -- Proverbs 3:21-22

What is a humble man or woman?

Think about the biblical characters for a moment. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of Abraham? Jacob? Deborah? Joseph? Moses? Joshua? Rahab? David? Daniel? Elijah? Elisha? Peter? James? John? Last but not least, what is the first word that comes to mind when you think of the "apostle" Paul?

These men and women all had feet of clay -- every one of them. All at times were proud and arrogant. Even Daniel, about whom there is nothing negative said, (one of two such personalities mentioned in Scripture besides Jesus),* was a sinful man. Yet the grace of God was extended to each.

Humble is not the opposite of proud, or the opposite of arrogant, or the opposite of sin. Humility is an indefinable quality of character that you know you have for no other reason than you have gratefully received the grace of God. If you were not humble, you would not have received it. While it cannot be defined, it can be described.

A humble person is someone who recognizes that he or she is incapable of good without belief in and reliance upon the Source of all Good. A humble person is someone who feels the need for God's mercy. A humble person is someone who trusts and loves God. To such a person God extends his good, his mercy and his grace.

A humble person never actually is aware of his humility.

-- PDM

*The other was Enoch.