“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10 ESV).
James instructed believers to humble themselves before the Lord with the assurance that God would lift them up. Humility was not merely an attitude but an intentional posture of submission to God. The corollary was seen in the broader context, for James also wrote, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” warning that pride invited God’s resistance while humility welcomed His grace. The clearest example of humility was revealed in Jesus Christ, as Paul described to the Philippians. Though He was in the form of God, He humbled Himself by taking on human flesh and becoming obedient to death on the cross (Phil. 2:5–11). Therefore, God highly exalted Him. Jesus demonstrated that true humility involved surrendering rights, embracing servanthood, and submitting fully to the Father’s will.
We humble ourselves when we adopt the mindset of Christ. We stop exalting our own opinions, rights, or desires above God’s will. Instead, we willingly surrender to Him, choosing service over self-promotion. When we lay aside our pride and take up the posture of a servant, we align ourselves with Christ’s example. Rather than seeking recognition, we seek to honor God. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less, focusing on God’s glory and the good of others. When we willingly humble ourselves, trusting God’s timing and purpose, He lifts us up according to His grace. In the economy of God’s Kingdom, the way up is down.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before You today. We confess our pride and tendency to promote ourselves rather than submit to Your will. Give us the mind of Christ, that we may willingly serve and obey You in all things. Help us to lay aside our rights and embrace the posture of a servant. Lift us up according to Your purpose and timing, that our lives might bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.