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Demonstrating Humility and Dependence on God's Word Daily

Humility is a central Christian grace, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and conducive to spiritual tranquility [3]. It involves submission to and dependence on God [9]. The Bible presents humility as essential for serving God and as a characteristic of saints [1].

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 3]. His humility was evident in his willingness to take on human nature, his humble birth, his subjection to his parents, his modest station in life, and his poverty [2]. He partook in human infirmities, submitted to ordinances, and became a servant, even washing his disciples' feet [2]. Christ's humility is declared by himself in Matthew 11:29, where he states, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" [1, 2]. The Apostle Paul further highlights Christ's humility in Philippians 2:5-8, describing how he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbling himself to the point of death on a cross [1, 3].

Humility is regarded by God, who hears the humble and enjoys their presence [1]. The humble are delivered, lifted up, and exalted by God [1]. Proverbs 15:33 states that humility comes before honor, and James 4:10 promises that those who humble themselves will be lifted up by God [1]. Furthermore, the greatest promises are made to the humble [3], and they receive more grace [1].

Demonstrating dependence on God's Word daily involves diligence, steadfastness, and consistent engagement with scripture. Diligence is required in seeking God, obeying him, hearkening to him, and striving for perfection [4]. This includes cultivating Christian graces, guarding against defilement, and making one's calling and election sure [4]. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) [7].

Steadfastness, which God exhibits in all his purposes, is commanded for believers [8]. It is secured by God's power, his presence, and trust in him, as well as by the intercession of Christ [8]. Believers should manifest steadfastness in cleaving to God, in the work of the Lord, in continuing in the apostles' doctrine, and in holding fast their confession [8]. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to "hold fast our confidence" in Christ [10].

Daily engagement with God's Word also involves consistent prayer and praise. The psalmist expresses a commitment to proclaiming God's loving kindness in the morning and his faithfulness every night (Psalm 92:2) [5]. Another psalm declares, "My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long" (Psalm 35:28) [6]. Such daily devotion reflects a dependence on God and his truth. John Gill notes that constant and importunate prayer is a duty of saints and is effective with God, citing Christ's frequent practice of prayer [13]. Matthew Henry emphasizes the need for divine grace to keep God's testimonies, recognizing that one cannot persevere in the good way without God's quickening [14]. He also highlights the importance of waiting for the Lord with sincerity and patience, expecting relief and comfort from him alone [12].

Exhortation among believers is also a daily practice that fosters dependence on God's Word. This involves comforting one another through discussions about divine things, praying together, instructing one another in Gospel doctrines, and reminding each other of God's covenant and promises [11]. This mutual encouragement helps prevent unbelief and apostasy [11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. Psalms “to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night, -- Psalms 92:2”
  6. Psalms “My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long. -- Psalms 35:28”
  7. 2 Timothy “Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. -- 2 Timothy 2:15”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
  9. Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 2:3: 2:3 all who are humble: True humility involves submission to and dependence on God (Pss 18:25-27; 119:142-144; Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).”
  10. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 3:7: Exhortation from Psa 95:7-11, not through unbelief to lose participation in the spiritual house. Seeing that we are the house of God if we hold fast our confidence . . . (Heb 3:6). Jesus is "faithful," be not ye unfaithful (Heb 3:2, Heb 3:12). The sentence beginning with "wherefore," interrupted by the parenthesis confirming the argument from Psa 95:7-11, is completed at Heb 3:12, "Take heed," &c. Holy Ghost saith--by the inspired Psalmist; so that the words of the latter are the words of God Himself. To-day--at length; in David's day, as contraste”
  11. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 3:13: But exhort one another daily,.... In order to prevent unbelief and apostasy. The phrase is sometimes rendered, "comfort one another", or, "yourselves together", as in Th1 5:11 which the saints may do, by discoursing together about divine things; by praying together; by instructing one another in the doctrines of the Gospel; by putting one another in mind of the covenant of grace, and its promises; and by observing the near approach of everlasting happiness with Christ. And though the business of exhortation greatly belongs to ministers of the word, yet it ought not t”
  12. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 130:5: Here, I. The psalmist engages himself to trust in God and to wait for him, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God, expressed in a climax, it being a a song of degrees, or ascents: "I wait for the Lord; from him I expect relief and comfort, believing it will come, longing till it does come, but patiently bearing the delay of it, and resolving to look for it from no other hand. My soul doth wait; I wait for him in sincerity, and not in profession only. I am an expectant, and it is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace and th”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 86:3: Be merciful unto me, O Lord,.... In my distressed and miserable condition, being an object of mercy, pity, and compassion; this petition is used by Christ in Psa 41:10. for I cry unto thee daily; or "all the day"; every day, and several times in a day, Psa 55:17 constant and importunate prayer is the duty of saints, and available with God, Th1 5:17. Christ was much in the exercise of it, Luk 6:12.”
  14. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:88: Here is, 1. David in care to be found in the way of his duty. His constant desire and design are to keep the testimony of God's mouth, to keep to it as his rule and to keep hold of it as his confidence and portion for ever. This we must keep, whatever we lose. 2. David at prayer for divine grace to assist him therein: "Quicken me after thy lovingkindness (make me alive and make me lively), so shall I keep thy testimonies," implying that otherwise he should not keep them. We cannot proceed, nor persevere, in the good way, unless God quicken us and put life into u”
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