March 22

Grace for the Humble

But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” — Jas 4:6 BSB

Humble hearts seek grace, and therefore they receive it. Humble hearts are open to the sweet influences of grace, and so it is given to them more and more abundantly. Humble hearts dwell in the valleys where streams of grace flow, and they drink deeply from them. Humble hearts are grateful for grace and give God the glory for it, and so it is consistent with His honor to bestow it upon them.

Come, dear reader, take a lowly place. Be small in your own eyes so that the Lord may exalt you. Perhaps you sigh and think, “I fear I am not humble.” It may be that this very thought is a sign of true humility. Some people are proud of being humble, and this is one of the worst kinds of pride. We are needy, helpless, undeserving, and deserving of hell; if we are not humble, we certainly should be. Let us humble ourselves because of our sins against humility, and then the Lord will allow us to taste His favor. It is grace that makes us humble, and grace that sees in our humility an opportunity to pour in even more grace. Let us lower ourselves so that we may be raised up. Let us be poor in spirit so that God may make us rich. Let us be humble so that we won’t need to be humbled, but may be exalted by the grace of God.