James 4:6 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes
the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
When a general returned from a victorious battle, ancient
Rome would stage a parade to welcome the conqueror home. The parade would
include the general’s troops, as well as trophy captives who had been brought
along as evidence of the victory. As the parade made its way through the city,
the crowds would cheer their hero’s success.
To prevent the general’s ego from becoming unduly swollen,
a slave rode along with him in his chariot. Why? So that as the Roman throngs
heaped praise on the general, the slave could continually whisper in his ear,
“You too are mortal.”
When successful, we too may lose sight of our own frailty
and allow our hearts to fill with destructive pride. James pointed us away from
the danger of pride by pointing us to humility and to God. He wrote, “God
resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The key to that
statement is grace. Nothing is more wonderful! The Lord alone deserves thanks
and praise—especially for the grace He has lavished on us.
Our achievements, success, or greatness are not rooted in
ourselves. They are the product of God’s matchless grace, upon which we are
eternally dependent.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts You give each us. Help
us to use them to bring honor to You in all that we do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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