Tag: draw near to God
Grace to the humble!
Scripture reading for April 4th: James 4, Psalm 67, Proverbs 5
James 4: 6-10 “But He gives 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. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubleminded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.”
Our world operates on pride and is centered on getting what we want when we want it. This causes strife and quarrels, even in the church of Jesus Christ! James, as a wise pastor, was emphasizing to the church the need for God’s grace in each person and in the church family. God gives grace in abundance, but there is the requirement of humility. When we are in a prideful attitude, putting ourselves first, God actually is opposing us! Who can be blessed or find grace when God is opposing them? This pride is demonic in nature, because it is the devil’s nature. The simple solution, according to James, is to resist the devil and draw near to God. The devil will flee and God will then draw near to you. True humility brings repentance first and then exaltation and the joy of God’s grace and smile in our life.
Psalm 67:1-3 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!”
Prayer: Father God, I pray the prayer of the psalmist in Psalm 67. Be gracious to us and bless us and make Your face shine on us, that through Your smile and favor, we may reflect Your ways to those on earth and Your saving power among all peoples. I humble myself to draw nearer to You each day that I may learn Your ways and become more like You in the humility of You amazing grace.
Proverbs 5:1-2 “My son, be attentive to My wisdom; incline your ear to My understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.”
Grace to the humble!
Scripture reading for November 5th: Jeremiah 37-40, James 4
Key Scriptures: James 4:6-10 “But He gives 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. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Pride is a terrible sin. It got the devil kicked out of heaven as he is the ‘king of the proud.’ Pride keeps us from admitting that we are sinners in great need of God’s amazing grace. It keeps us from true repentance and life. The remedy is to resist the devil and draw near to the throne of Grace by Jesus Christ. Humble repentance will bring cleansing and exaltation.
Jeremiah 37:19-20 “Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you and against this land?’ Now hear, please, O my lord the king: Let my humble plea come before you and do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, lest I die there.”
Prayer: Lord, I humbly draw near to You, the only King who can save me. Help me to resist the devil and the pride that easily ensnares me and receive Your abundant grace. Amen.
Rejoicing in answered prayer!
Scripture reading for May 2nd: 2nd Chronicles 26-30
Key Scriptures: 2nd Chronicles 30: 25-27 “The entire assembly of Judah rejoiced, along with the priests and Levites and all who had assembled from Israel, including the aliens who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah. There was great joy in Jerusalem, . . .The priests and Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, His holy dwelling place.”
King Hezekiah had cleansed the temple and restored the Passover, celebrating it again in Jerusalem. The people consecrated themselves, seeking to return to the Lord and He returned to bless them! There was great joy and rejoicing in Jerusalem once again, because of God’s presence and favor!
Thankful for answered prayer: “But He gives us more Grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:6-8)