Walk Humbly: God’s Call to Christians

On this day in history, December 11, 1917, a little-known and/or forgotten event occurred. At the time, it was said to be one of the most remarkable scenes of World War I.

After centuries of conflict, conquests, and shifting empires, British General Edmund Allenby entered the ancient city of Jerusalem. But he did so in an unexpected way. Instead of riding in triumph on horseback or rolling in with military vehicles—symbols of dominance and human pride—Allenby dismounted and walked through the Jaffa Gate on foot.

Allenby later explained that it would be irreverent to ride into the city where Jesus Himself had walked.

Newspapers around the world reported the moment with awe. After 400 years under Ottoman rule, Jerusalem came under new authority—but instead of a swaggering conqueror, the world saw a leader who chose humility. Many Christians at the time saw Allenby’s act of stepping off his horse as a rare moment when earthly power bowed before sacred ground.

Whether or not Allenby intended to send a spiritual message, the scene still preaches one today: the most significant victories in God’s kingdom are won through humility, not force.

We live in an age where power, position, pomposity, and political pronouncements reign. However, in stark contrast is the Scriptural call for humility, meekness, and submissiveness.

The prophet Micah summed up God’s call on our lives with simple clarity:  “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

New Testament writers also remind us of God’s call to humility.

James 4:6
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility…

Rom 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Humility is a required quality to obey Jesus’ commands in the classic Sermon on the Mount, where His followers are challenged to be “meek” and “be poor in spirit.” Humility is necessary if we are to “deny ourselves” and “take up His cross,” and “follow Him.

Too often, meekness is depicted as weakness and humility as helplessness. But really, it’s strength under God’s control. Humility is not self-depreciation. R.C. Trench observed that humility “does not demand undue self-depreciation but rather lowliness of self-estimation and freedom from vanity.”

The humble person is free from pride, arrogance, and a spirit of haughtiness in his accomplishments and achievements. His success, whether physical, material, financial, or spiritual, is received with appreciation and enjoyed with thankfulness to God. It’s the posture that Allenby embraced as he walked into Jerusalem on December 11.

Allenby’s attitude reminds every Believer that we are called to “enter” the places of life—our work, our relationships, our decisions—not riding high on pride, but walking in humility before the Lord.

There is something powerful about choosing to step off our figurative horses:

• Stepping down from the need to be right all the time.
• Stepping down from defensiveness and self-protection.
• Stepping down from the pride that keeps us from forgiving or asking forgiveness.
• Stepping down from self-sufficiency.
• Stepping down from craving recognition.
• Stepping down from trying to control everyone and everything.
• Stepping down from our opinions, judgments, and assumptions about others.
• Stepping down from relying on our own strength and instead acknowledging our deep need for God.

Jesus is our perfect role model for humility. Philippians 2 tells us that He “made Himself of no reputation,” taking on the form of a servant. He entered Jerusalem not on a warhorse, but on a humble donkey. His most significant victory—our salvation—was achieved not by grasping power but by surrendering His life.

The paradox of pride contrasted with humility is well stated by the wise man. “A man’s pride will bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Prov. 29:23).

Indeed, Thomas Merton was right when he wrote, “Pride makes us artificial; humility makes us real.”

Lord, teach us to walk humbly today.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman