ASK Devotions

Part 7: Humility - The Posture in Which All Is Received

Part 7 3 min read

Grows from

Grace

James 4:6

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Key passages

James 4:6, 10

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. … Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ … Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

1 Peter 5:5-6

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

“Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another; for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Matthew 11:29

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.”

Philippians 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

“Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.”

Luke 18:13-14

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

“But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Micah 6:8

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Proverbs 3:34

“Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”

“Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 22:4

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.”

“The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.”

What Scripture says

  • God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5; Prov 3:34).
  • Humble yourselves → He lifts up / exalts in due time (James 4:10; 1 Pet 5:6).
  • Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matt 5:3).
  • Christ Himself is gentle and lowly in heart (Matt 11:29).
  • Christ humbled Himself to death on the cross (Phil 2:8).
  • The humble tax collector went home justified (Luke 18:14).
  • Walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Connections

  • To Grace — grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5)
  • To Mercy — “love mercy, walk humbly” (Micah 6:8); tax collector asks for mercy (Luke 18:13)
  • To Obedience — Christ humbled Himself, became obedient (Phil 2:8)
  • To Jesus — He is gentle and lowly (Matt 11:29); His humility our example (Phil 2:5-8)
  • To Justification — humble man went home justified (Luke 18:14)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Forgive us for the times we have trusted in ourselves.

Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Give us Your mind. Teach us to humble ourselves before You and to walk humbly with our God.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.