James 4 Devotional

Grace Greater Than Our Quarrels

“But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.””James 4:6 (BSB)

James traces our fights back to their source. Conflicts come from desires at war inside us. We want what we do not have, so we quarrel, and we lack things because we do not ask God, or we ask only to spend it on our pleasures (4:1-3). He even calls his readers unfaithful, because friendship with the world sets a person against God (4:4).

Then comes one of the most hopeful turns in the letter. God gives more grace (4:6). He opposes the proud, but he gives favor to the humble, which means the way back is open to anyone willing to come low. Draw near to God, and he draws near to you (4:8). Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up (4:10). The same humility reaches into ordinary plans. Life is a mist that appears for a little while and vanishes (4:14), so plans are best made with an open admission that they depend on the Lord's will (4:15). The God who gives more grace can be trusted with tomorrow.

To think about: What plan or desire are you gripping tightly that you could bring humbly to God today?