The Power of Humility!

Job 35

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, February 23.

Pride is a popular trend in today’s world, but don’t be deceived – “pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18). In Job 35:12-13, Elihu argues that God will not respond to a person’s plea that comes from pride, “There they cry out, but He does not answer because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to an empty cry, nor will the Almighty regard it.” In James 4:6-8, the half-brother of Jesus explains how pride breaks fellowship with God:

But He 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. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

There can be no place of relief apart from a “broken and contrite heart” because God will not turn away from true repentance (Psalm 51:17). In 2 Corinthians 7:10-11a, Paul contrasts a true repentance that comes from brokenness before God over your sin versus a prideful plea to God because you hate that you got caught in the consequences of your sin:

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

A true repentance is motivated by humility before God’s presence and a love for His righteousness (e.g., Job 42:1-6). This leads to a new opportunity at life that demonstrates God’s mercy and grace (e.g., Job 42:10-17).

Seize the moment and “humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10; cf. 1 Peter 5:6).

God bless you!

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