BOOK REVIEW

 

Book: Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness

Author: Andrew Murray

Some say if there is a spiritual characteristic that you desire, simply ask and the Lord will send you circumstances that will provide you with the material you need to develop that characteristic.  For example, if you desire patience, the Lord will send you circumstances in which you will need to practice patience to develop it.

At a very high spiritual point in his life, Andrew Murray lost his voice.  Physicians believed it was permanent.  But, through a very spiritual experience where he was prayed over by people of powerful faith, and anointed with oil, he was instead permanently healed.  Though this is a testament to faith and prayer, the point is that while Andrew was preaching the Truth so profoundly, the Lord allowed his voice to be taken.  Though the book does not indicate that Andrew was too proud and thus lost his voice to “put him in his place.”  Rather, it served as a deeper lesson for Andrew on humility and understanding that it is, in fact, a gift.

In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Paul pleads for the Lord to remove the thorn in his side.  And the Lord answers, “My grace is sufficient for you.”  Many Christians struggle to understand this, but Andrew makes it simply clear: “The answer came that the trial was a blessing; that, in the weakness and humiliation it brought, the grace and strength of the Lord could be better manifested.”

However, the true summary statement is this: “…has it not been made clear that it is not sin that humbles most, but grace.”  Jesus was not a sinner, and yet He is our supreme example of humility.  He has called us to be like Him, in all His humility.  He tells us, “Whosoever would be first among you, shall be your servant.”  He simply taught us the blessed truth, that there is nothing so divine and heavenly as being the servant and helper of all.

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