27 lines
4.6 KiB
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27 lines
4.6 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 5</div></div>
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<h2>Humility and Grace</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Be clothed with <b>humility</b>, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the <b>humble</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe',5,5);">1 Peter 5:5</a>)</div>
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<p>We have considered that humility and faith must be developing within our lives, if we are going to grow in grace. Let's take a few days to reconsider both, looking <b>first</b> at <b>humility</b>. <i>"God <b>resists</b> the <b>proud</b>, but gives <b>grace</b> to the <b>humble</b>."</i></p>
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<p><b>Pride leads</b> the list of things that God <b>despises</b>. <i>"These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A <b>proud</b> look, a lying tongue"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Pro',6,16,17);">Proverbs 6:16-17</a>). God wants our lives to be edified; <b>pride</b> is <b>destructive</b>. <i>"<b>Pride</b> goes before <b>destruction</b>, and a <b>haughty</b> spirit before a <b>fall</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Pro',16,18);">Proverbs 16:18</a>). The Lord desires that people be established in truth; <b>pride</b> is <b>deceptive</b>. <i>"The <b>pride</b> of your heart has <b>deceived</b> you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Oba',1,3);">Obadiah v. 3</a>). It is God's will that we grow in things that are honorable; <b>pride</b> brings <b>disgrace</b>. <i>"When <b>pride</b> comes, then comes <b>shame</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Pro',11,2);">Proverbs 11:2</a>). Our Lord does not want His name dishonored or our lives destroyed by pride.</p>
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<p>On the other hand, <b>humility</b> is a character trait that God <b>loves</b> to develop in us. Note the terms God uses in His word to describe humility. <i>"<b>Better</b> to be of a <b>humble</b> spirit with the <b>lowly</b>, than to divide the spoil with the <b>proud</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Pro',16,19);">Proverbs 16:19</a>). The Lord reveals that it is better to be a humble person, who associates with modest people, than to partake of the wealth that the arrogant can often accumulate.</p>
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<p>Also the Lord says, <i>"<b>Blessed</b> are the <b>poor in spirit</b>, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',5,3);">Matthew 5:3</a>). Here we are told that humility is a blessing, because the kingdom (the spiritual realm of God's rule and provision) is given to the humble.</p>
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<p>Elsewhere God revealed, <i>"I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and <b>humble</b> spirit, to revive the spirit of the <b>humble</b>, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa',57,15);">Isaiah 57:15</a>). Although our Lord is most fully revealed in His heavenly abode on high, He also <b>dwells with</b> the <b>humble</b> and the <b>broken</b> on earth below, bringing them <b>spiritual revitalization</b>.</p>
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<p>Of course, we cannot manufacture humility. It is a relational reality that results from getting to know the Lord. Isaiah discovered this. <i>"I <b>saw the Lord</b> sitting on a throne, high and lifted up…Then I said: '<b>Woe is me</b>, for I am undone'!"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa',6,1);">Isaiah 6:1, 5</a>). When the Lord was revealed in all His glory, Isaiah responded in profound <b>humility</b>. This can happen in our lives, as we get into the Scriptures, seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord. As He is increasingly revealed to us, our response will be increasingly characterized by more humility.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O God Most High, I repent of those many times when pride was the despicable attitude I displayed. Lord, teach me to despise pride as You do. Stir in my heart a growing appreciation of humility. I desire to be clothed with humility. I humbly seek You afresh that I might live by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.</div>
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