Daily Devotional
Word of the Day
Humility in Action
Pastor Scott
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
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"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
(James 4:6)
John said if we'll keep God's commandments, they will not be grievous or difficult to us (1 John 5:3). The chastening of the Lord is grievous for the moment, but it works in us the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:11). God is working in our lives. These times of pressure, trial, adversity, and lack are the cross--the crucible--that conform us to the image of Jesus, which is a life of absolute dependence upon God. Are you independent or dependent? How much of your life is independent? How many decisions do you make independently? I'm talking about the little ones. Do you live your life making all the little decisions and let God make the big ones? Don't you understand that it's all the stupid little decisions you're making that cause the big ones? Where are you today in your walk in His lordship? We're really talking about pride versus submission and humility. Obedience versus rebellion is what it all comes down to.
As I was in prayer this thought came to me. I'm sure it's not original, but it's something I thought was a good, succinct way to understand obedience. Obedience is humility in action. If a man humbles himself, God will exalt him. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), to the obedient, to the dependent. Childlike faith is not childish; it's childlike, dependent. We're just absolutely dependent. We're dependent on God to feed us. We're dependent upon God to clothe us. We're dependent upon God to nurture us--emotionally, spiritually, intellectually. We're not looking for man's intellectual input. We don't think that having sufficient education and excellent character can accomplish something for the kingdom of God. Yet we've made a god out of education instead of the wisdom of God and the Word of God. People today know far more about psychology than they do about the book of Proverbs. People know a lot more today about every new diet than they do the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Deuteronomy and Leviticus talk about diet--how much do you know about that? All the natural things occupy our time, but we need to become masters of the wisdom of God, the Word of God, that never passes away.
How do we know we're being obedient if we don't know what's being required of us? The Lord said, "If you love Me, you'll keep My commandments" (John 14:15). They won't be grievous. That obedience factor is humility in action. God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. Obedience is the primary requisite for a successful life. If we be willing and obedient, the Scripture says, we will inherit the land of promise, that land of peace, contentment, and the blessings of God.