Read James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
Reread James 4:8-9 and you will see the reason as to why we must “humble ourselves before the Lord.”
On two occasions Jesus said to those who had confidence in themselves: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11 and 18:14).
It must be noted that, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are to humble ourselves. We should never ask God to humble us or to humble anyone else! What might happen if we were to make such a prayer?
Humility is an attitude. Jesus Christ had this attitude and therefore He was, and still is exalted. If we read Philippians 2:5-11 we will note:
- His attitude towards Himself – unselfishness
“Who, being in nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” (v. 6) - His attitude towards mankind – identity and servant
“Being made in human likeness” and “taking the very nature of a servant.” (v. 7) - His attitude towards His Father – humility and obedience
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (v.
Therefore “God exalted him to the highest place……” (see v. 9-11).
Humbling ourselves does not mean thinking and saying that we are no good and cannot obey God’s call. We are God’s children and valuable in His sight. If we love ourselves too little, then we will also love God and our neighbours too little. If we love ourselves too much we will continue to love God and our neighbours too little.
Our attitude (towards ourselves, our neighbour and our Father) “should be the same as that of Jesus Christ”. (Philippians 2:5)
The way to UP is DOWN!
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
