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| Iguazu Falls, Argentina |
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
Psalm 25:8-9 (NIV)
Our scripture today reminds us of the need for humility. According
to this Psalm it is the humble that enjoy the Lord's guidance and instruction. And
James 4:6 reminds us that God resists the proud, but gives favor to the humble.
I don't know about you, but this quality of humility often alludes me as my
self-will raises its ugly head. I so
want and need the Lord's favor and guidance but recognize my need to humble myself moment by moment so that I will be in a position to receive. But how can I
overcome my natural inclination toward pride and self-will?
Here from David Paul Tripp in New Morning Mercies is the suggestion that even this, the ability
to humble ourselves, is a gift of God's grace to us.
This is why grace is
essential. It takes powerful rescuing
grace to transform me from a self-rule junky into a person who willingly and
joyfully submits to the plan and purpose of another. It requires powerful mercy for me to become a
person who surrenders self-appointed authority to the authority of God. It takes grace for me to acknowledge that
there is a King and that he is not me.
It takes God's rescuing hand for me to forsake the purpose of my kingdom
and take up the purpose of his. Jesus
submitted himself to the Father's will even to death so that you and I would
have the grace we need to do the same. *
I like how he says "powerful rescuing grace". We are unable in ourselves to humble
ourselves, but God's grace and the spirit of Christ within gives us that
power.
Lord, I admit that many times I am not humble. I know I need humility. I ask for your grace to humble myself so that I can become a recipient of all the
good things you have prepared for me.
But he gives us more grace.
That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6 (NIV)
