Sermon Reflections from Humility Before Harvest | Alex Hardt | August 23, 2026
This Sunday Pastor Alex had us visit ancient Nineveh again through the eyes and words of Nahum the prophet. We had seen Nineveh several hundred years earlier when Jonah was called to call them to repentance, and they did. This time Nahum sees that they are overcome with their own glory and pride. They are overcome with their own debauchery and hedonistic pursuits and they have blocked out any room for God. They are relying only upon themselves.
What can we learn from their mistakes? The Assyrians were prideful, arrogant, and fully self-absorbed. Once we acknowledge our pride we have to pray and ask God to forgive us and ask Him to replace our pride with humility. Scripture tells us that God gives grace or undeserved favor to the humble. James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” We need to pray for God’s grace to be able to change our hearts and ways so that we become more and more like Jesus! Jesus told us in Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus promised that walking with Him in humility will bring rest to our souls. As a Christian humility should be a high priority as it sets our hearts right with Him. Colossians 3:12 says, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Humility is a high calling for every believer as we seek to reflect our Savior to the world.
God provides us with motivation as we seek to walk with Him daily. He knows that humility is difficult and in direct opposition to our sinful nature! God promises benefits to us, besides aligning our hearts with Him, as we pursue humility. Jesus told us in the Matthew passage that humility gives us a place of rest for our souls. What a beautiful image that is and how comforting. It is so counter culture- the gain is not wealth or prestige but rest in Him which we can get in no other way!
Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Unlike the worldly effects of pride- humility brings wisdom!
Psalm 25:9 says, “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” God will provide the right pathway in life and teach us His ways if we are humble in mind and spirit as we follow Him.
Isaiah 66:2 explains as creator God He will look upon us, if our hearts are right before Him. “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Having God look upon us, grace us with His attention, esteem us in His eyes- what a privilege.
Lastly, Matthew 18:4 “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Humility of heart brings exultation from God.
Amazing, God’s kingdom is truly upside down from our world. Jesus explained it further in Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Let’s look at this again- pride brings destruction as it is self-centered, ego-centered and not focused on God at all but me, my, mine.
Humility of heart and soul brings- soul filled rest, wisdom, guidance and teaching, grace or favor from God, and praise or exultations from Him. We can see that God’s way will bring about His harvest and people knowing and loving Him more fully. God’s way is focused on Him not us.
Before we leave this text in Nahum, I want to draw your attention to the promise God made in
Let’s look at this again- pride brings destruction as it is self-centered, ego-centered and not focused on God at all but me, my, mine.
Humility of heart and soul brings- soul filled rest, wisdom, guidance and teaching, grace or favor from God, and praise or exultations from Him. We can see that God’s way will bring about His harvest and people knowing and loving Him more fully. God’s way is focused on Him not us.
Before we leave this text in Nahum, I want to draw your attention to the promise God made in
Nahum 1:7. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,”
I love this promise as it assures me of God’s character-God is good! God Himself is a refuge for me, a place of calm, protection and love. He is available whenever I need Him! God cares for believers and desires to shelter us! You can claim this promise in your life and be assured of its truth always.
May you have a good week giving more attention to your heart attitude and what evidences of humility you see in your own life. God promises benefits to the humble- look for them in your life!
Linda
May you have a good week giving more attention to your heart attitude and what evidences of humility you see in your own life. God promises benefits to the humble- look for them in your life!
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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