Tranquility and Patience Under Trials
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
When Moses heard it, he fell on his face… (Numbers 16:4b).
Moses responds to the allegations of Korah first with grief and then instructions on how to resolve this conflict:
When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” (Numbers 16:4-7).
Moses’ response sticks in my mind. These men publicly confronted him with the goal of humiliating their leader. Yet Moses does not react defensively or angrily; he falls on his face before the Lord. Moses’ response is cause for pause: he fell on his face. Moses did not respond with defensiveness but humility. Implied in his posture is he immediately turned to the Lord in prayer to discern God’s perspective on their angry words. This is not the first time we see Moses react to life with humbleness. In fact, Scripture declares:
Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any other man on earth… (Numbers 12:3).
When we think of a humble person, we imagine someone standing on the sidelines, deferring to others. The Hebrew word for ‘humble’ is anayv and seems to align with this thought. Throughout Scripture, anayv describes people with a subservient attitude vs. arrogance. Used in this way, a humble person places themselves second and under the authority of others.
Moses was the greatest prophet who ever lived, as we read in Deuteronomy 3:10 but also more humble than any other man on earth. He was the God-appointed leader of the Israelites. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, saw the destruction of Pharaoh and his army, judged conflicts, put down insurrection (as we see in the story of the Kohathites), and sent armies into battle. This is not a man shrinking into the sidelines of life. The writers of Scripture could have used many words to describe him, but God led them to choose humility. Why? He placed himself second to Jehovah and submitted to Jehovah’s authority.
A few months ago, I chose humility (humbleness) as my word for the year. It was not an easy choice because I know how prideful and defensive I am. We don’t get what we want, we are passed over, our work is not acknowledged, and friends betray us. So asking the Lord to cultivate humility in my heart felt risky and a little scary. Until I saw Moses react with humility to the Kohathites. This most humble man on earth led with humility because of his intimacy with Yahweh. How else could he lead the Israelites (people who often acted like immature teenagers) with any peace or courage unless he looked to Yahweh for wisdom?
According to Easton’s 1897 Dictionary, humility is “a prominent Christian grace. It is a state of mind well-pleasing to God; it preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials.”
Think about it. When we are humble, we experience “a soul in tranquility and patience under trials.” Isn’t this what we all seek? Humility is the opposite of pride. Wisdom and grace push out pride or arrogance, self-importance, and ego, the priority of me. God’s Word has much to say about humility:
But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5).
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way (Psalm 25:9).
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor (Proverbs 15:33).
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Since choosing “humility” as my word for this year, God is gracing me with the opportunity to experience humility instead of conjuring up ill motives on the part of others, to seek forgiveness when my pride hurts a friend, to trust that the Lord has already gifted me with everything I need to meet the needs of each day. Slowly I am recognizing a peacefulness and patience flowing from this confidence. Humility through Him makes me peaceful and patient in ways I could never have created by myself. Humility truly does “preserve the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials.” God continues to reveal my prideful heart but having humility as my “word” intentionally confronts me with a choice to respond with repentance and gratitude that my days are in His hands and He will provide whatever I need to reflect His glory.
I am so thankful; He gives more grace just when I need it. What is your word for the year?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Saturday, 11 June 2022.
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