Tag: God opposes the proud
Day 5–Grace not Worry!
Scripture reading for May 1: 1 Peter 5:5-7 “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Living by faith is the key to a content and peaceful soul. Many in our world, even among responders, are filled with anxiety. We all face the pressures of life in this world and troubles that come upon the just and the unjust. “Time and chance happen to all” says Solomon. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) It’s how we respond to these troubles that is a key to our soul health. Jesus, our Example, was totally obedient to His Father and sought Him for every word to speak and every action to do. Everything was done to bring glory to God and fulfil His purpose of saving lost sinners and bringing them into a loving relationship.
Peter instructed believers to clothe themselves with humility towards one another. Jesus was completely humble and gentle, calling all to come and learn His way. (Matthew 11:28-30) Peter reminds us that God gives grace to the humble but He opposes the proud. Having God opposing you is not a place to choose for a healthy soul. We note that God invites us to cast all cares and burdens on Him and He will sustain us. He guarantees that He will exalt us at the proper time and help us stand firm. He truly cares for us!
This is good news for first responders who deal with other’s problems but still have our own personal concerns. When we cast our cares on God, we can let go of them completely. It’s like a shotput athlete throwing a 16 pound shot. If we cast it and hold onto it it will put our body and soul at risk. We must choose to let go and trust God to sustain us in peace and expectancy.
Prayer: Father God, I sometimes hold onto my cares and allow them to weigh me down as with a heavy load. Forgive me and teach me to cast those cares on You and live by faith in these amazing promises of Your unending care and unbreakable promises. Amen.
Grace flowing to the humble!
Scripture reading for November 20th: James 4:1-17
James was a Jew and ministered as the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. Pastoring a flock of Jewish believers had it’s challenges and he dealt with some quarrels among the brothers and sisters. In his epistle, James gave instructions in practical humility that would help his flock avoid the strife and work together. Let’s be quick to listen and then apply his instructions in order to help the church we are a part of!
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3) James speaks plainly to brothers and sisters that he loves. Selfishness is at the heart of most strife in the church! It starts in our flesh with desires and then is worked out in anger, slander (murder with the tongue), jealousy, and even spiritual manipulation! Some of his flock were praying to God, but God could not grant an answer because they had selfish motives. They simply weren’t asking God in accordance with His will!
“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. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:6-10)
We all need more grace to overcome our selfish desires and flesh. Grace comes to the humble. A mark of true humility is submission to God and obedience to His word. When we submit, we draw near to Him to listen and learn. Another mark of humility is a sincere desire to be clean of sin. Sincere brokenness is marked by a change of heart and by cleansing our hands from evil works. If we humble ourselves, God will lift us up!