Humility #4—Humble Graciousness

Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5–7

Fear and arrogance might seem to be strange table mates, but each feeds the other with ease. When we are anxious about how we will fare in our relationships, fear feeds arrogance the lie that if we use someone as a stepping stone to our success, we will feel safe and secure. While arrogance feeds fear the lie that only we hold the future secure in our hands. The truth is: God is sovereign. So the future really rests in the mighty hand of the God who cares for us. Thus he opposes us when we proudly try to control our environment and use others to insure our own prosperity. On the other hand, when we realize the  limits of our own finitude, and when we trust his wise and powerful providence, we experience God’s Rescuing And Caring Exertion on our behalf. Filled with humble joy by his care, we are free to look for ways to be gracious to others, ways that exalt the source of our good. Humility born from grace begets praise.

Gracious God, because you ordained for Jesus to die and rise at the very best time, I rejoice in your other expert and timely work on my behalf. As I humbly contemplate your goodness, let me learn your ways, so that I can be like you. Amen.