Oh how many ways there are in which we need the grace of God! One particular set of recent circumstances reminded me how much I need it. Occasionally, unbelievers subtly mock us. They might not even realize what they are doing. However, it is easy for those who have achieved “success” in their segment of society to behave with contempt toward people of faith. They scoff at our God-given dreams and politely douse our enthusiastic plans. I want to shout back at the movers and shakers of the world, “I know you understand how to win in this world, but I belong to another world—the kingdom of God.”
In this world, success comes from hard work, handy friends, and a lucky break or two. In the kingdom of God, grace is essential to success. The grace of God is the unmerited favor of God. God gives us what we do not deserve and He does not give us what we do deserve! In God’s kingdom we can expect to see success blooming where it does not normally grow—because of the grace of God.
The Bible lays out some simple principles for receiving the grace of God. James summarized the main principle:
[God] gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:6-7)
Psalm 123 is an application of that principle of humility to a situation we sometimes face—contemptuous scoffing:
To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.
3 Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us,
For we are greatly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is greatly filled
With the scoffing of those who are at ease,
And with the contempt of the proud. (Psalm 123:1-4)
When life seems to be mocking you and you need the grace of God, check your spiritual posture:
- Make sure your eyes are looking up at your heavenly Master on the throne. God is vastly superior to us. He is our Master; we are His servants. Our desire should always be to serve His will and pleasure. We must do our part, but we need the grace of God to truly succeed. Humility before God releases His grace.
- How do you view other people? Other believers are servants of God too. We must remember that, relative to our heavenly Master, we are fellow servants of God. Even those unbelievers who scoff at our efforts are God’s created children just like us. Humility towards other people releases the grace of God.
When we are humble before God and with each other then the grace of God can be poured out on us.
The goal of Bible Maturity is to promote spiritual growth and faith in God. Please share these short Bible devotions with your friends and family and pray for revival.
‘looking up at your heavenly Master on the throne’ I am not sure I understand the meaning of this expression. What might be explained as the throne?
When i was pondering on the above article i was reminded of the saying that pride comes before the fall. Therefor it is safe to say that humility comes before salvation through grace. Thanks for the article!