Humble Yourself in the Sight of the Lord
I’ve recently read about reconciliation and restoration in several war-torn countries following years of wars and genocides. In each situation, there was one common thread: humility. In each instance, at least one, if not both sides, approached the other with a humble offer of reconciliation. Repentance and forgiveness extended, clothed in humility. In our sin and wrongdoing, this is the only appropriate way to approach the Father.
In James 4 we see James writing necessary corrections to Churches that were adulterous in their hearts toward God. They remained a part of the church body but their love of self and the world superseded their love for unity and the Lord–producing conflict and chaos. They hid behind their pride when confronted with sin rather than humbly laying it down with an eye on reconciliation. James’ words go out as a strong call to return to the Lord with humility and repentance, in which they would be met with unbound grace: “Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.’ So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:6-8, ESV).
James uses military language throughout this chapter as he calls his readers to take seriously the war for their hearts. He calls their love of the world a“battle” (4:1), and he says that they “fight” for their own desires (4:2) and that their love of the world makes them “enemies” of God (4:4). The language reveals a picture of God doing battle against them unless they join with Him and resist the Devil.
There are two options before them: they could remain as they were and set God as their enemy or come to Him in humility. Just as war-torn nations have chosen the work of reconciliation through humility, so we continually approach the Lord with humble, repentant hearts. There is a battle raging around us—the Devil ever working to lure us toward a greater love of the world and self. But there is hope! For grace upon grace is ours when we humbly bow before our Lord. His mercy overflows for His people and His grace is relentless. And He delights in drawing near to us!
Meet the Author
Stephanie Wilcox
Stephanie is an avid tea drinker, thrifter, and reader. Stephanie and her husband, Brandon, live in the Pittsburgh suburbs with their three children, where they enjoy participating in serving the body of Christ together. In the constant pursuit of delight in the Creator, you can most often find her outside with her kids, with bare toes in the grass, hiking, or pulling weeds out of her mediocre garden.
