Humility

by Bro. McIntire
2/10/08 - Sunday School
James 4:1-10 , focusing on the last part of vs 9 and all of vs 10

The Lord delights in a contrite heart

As an example for our laughter being turned to mourning, he uses Eli & his sons. When they brought the Ark of the Covenant out to battle they all rejoiced because the Lord was with them - so they thought. Because of how Eli's sons had been behaving in the temple, the Lord was not with them and they lost the battle. Both of Eli's sons were killed, and then Eli fell off the wall when he heard of it. Their laughter turned to mourning.

Humility is our responsibility; it is a way of thinking

Isaiah 40:12-23 - This passage of scripture is really amazing. He expounded on the first few verses and it really just makes you go "Wow!" and really realize where you stand.
It talks about God measuring the waters of the earth in the palm of His hand. All the water on this earth ... in His hand.
He "meted out heaven with the span" ... with hand stretched out, thumb to pinky, that's how big our heavens / universe is in comparison to Him.
He "comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance". How big are the mountains to us? And He can just pick it up and put it on a scale.
When you think about all of this, really, we are nothing in comparison. Yet He sent His Son to come and die ... for us.

Grace = unmerited favor James 4:6,10

We don't desrve God's grace, yet He will bestow it upon us as we are humble before Him.


Who am I?