p. 547 | HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 8, 1881

HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY.

By John Nevins Andrews

IF we read the Bible with attention and prayer, we will find that its biographies are wonderfully instructive. It never sanctions evil, and never excuses or hides it. Often, however, it gives an account of the good actions of men, without a word of praise, and of their bad actions without censure. But we must understand that this book contains the moral law which each may use in measuring the actions of men, and we should particularly observe that the actions of men are given in such a manner that the consequences of the good and of the bad appear at the end with astonishing clearness.

The wisdom of God in preparing men for glory by poverty and humiliation manifests itself in the records of their lives. Saul is an example of one who in private life was a man of good standing, and who, notwithstanding, when elevated to the throne, became wicked, arrogant, and cruel. He could not bear his high honor. If he had been for several years in the school of humiliation he would have been a very different king.

Solomon is another example of the incapacity of man to bear honors without having been raised in poverty and affliction. The sun mounting at once to its meridian, would well represent his coming to his throne. The sun was hidden by a disastrous eclipse, and perhaps, this eclipse obscured its setting. Let no man seek for honor before having been prepared by humility.

David is an example of a man who was raised in the school of poverty, of humility, and of affliction. God permitted him to suffer the injustice of Saul in order that he might hate such wickedness, and never deal in like manner when he himself should become king. It was certainly an education of inestimable value in preparing him for the throne. However, notwithstanding all this, he made an almost fatal fall when he was in prosperity. The case of David is as a light-house built near a dangerous rock. Notwithstanding all the education he had before received, he was almost lost when overwhelmed with prosperity. An humble position in life is much to be preferred to an elevated position, and is very much safer.

Joseph was by the providence of God lord of Egypt. But he was obliged first to be thrown into prison. He was sold as a slave, “whose feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in iron; until the time that his word came; the word of the Lord tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance; To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.” Ps. 105:18-22.

This wisdom of God we see in the history of Joseph. He could never have done the work for which he had been raised to this high position, had he not first been made slave and afterwards put in irons in a prison.

Humility before glory. Those seeking honor which comes of God will pass their lives in the most profound humility before him. God lifts those who lower themselves, and he lowers those who elevate themselves. Those whom he will elevate will be seated with Christ on his throne; and those who will be abased by him will suffer everlasting reproach and dishonor.

J. N. A.