Scripture
But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” Acts 16:37

Observation
Paul was a humble man. The evidence of humility is not just to be found in our ability to bow down but also in being able to stand up. He and Silas humbly accepted their condition in prison. They had been beaten with broomsticks and tossed into an inner dungeon. Dank, damp and dark, they sang hymns to God, saying in so many words that God is to be praised no matter the season. But when the town officials tried to cover up their injustice, Paul stood tall, pulled out his passport and demanded just treatment.

Both of these acts are humble. It is humility to accept circumstances and it is also humility to change them. What is the difference? In one case, there was nothing that could be done. At best, Paul and Silas could have clanged their tin cups on the prison bars, but that was about it. However, even though nothing could be done, Paul and Silas knew that God was up to something. When the town fathers tried to dismiss them without acknowledging that they had broken the law by beating them, humility would not let that pass. Sometimes humility is letting God stand up for us, and other times humbleness is God standing tall inside of us.

Humility is not a doormat life. While we are bowed low in humility, inwardly there is a sense that we are still standing up. A human person is not a follower, he is a leader. A humble person is not passive, she is in control. Humility is knowing who we are and using that to serve others; humility is knowing who we are not and depending totally on the Lord.

Application
There are two postures of humility. I want to be a humble man today, sometimes passing and praising and other times standing up and speaking out. In either one, it is who God is, what I am not, and who I am in him that maters most.

Prayer
Father, teach me the posture of humility you want me to take moment by moment.