GRACE TO THE HUMBLE

SCRIPTURE

James 4:1-7 (NRSV)
God gives grace to the humble

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says,
"God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble."

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.


DEVOTION

Oh Lord! I am really motivated by the sentence, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

It is so hard to be humble in our world. We want to be the best and we want others to recognize our accomplishments. We want bigger and better things so people will be able to see how much money we make. We want titles in front of our names and letters after our names so that people will see how many years we spent in school. We want our children to be on the honor roll and to excel in every sport and/or musical instrument that they play. Many of us want to see our names in lights and to have others fete us everywhere that we go...

It is so counter-cultural to seek humility, anonymity, and simplicity. It is so counter-cultural to avoid accolade, applause, and affirmation. It is so counter-cultural to remember to declare, "TO GOD be the glory, great things God has done!" when we accomplish great good.

But, today's scripture reading reminds us that all of the conflict that arises amongst human beings is as a result of petty jealous and an unwillingness to be content with what God has given us.

Lord, please help!

Today, I want to encourage us to take stock of our many blessings. I want to challenge us to walk in humility and I want to remind us that all good and perfect gifts come only from GOD.


Let us pray:

Lord, please teach me to be humble. It is not "natural" to me, so I'm going to need a lot of help. I really am motivated by the applause of others. Please help me to seek my affirmation only from you. I love you and I want to make you proud. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta