Rick Warren (August-18-2021) Daily Devotional: God’s Promises for the Humble
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” – Psalm 25:9 (NIV)
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. You can be confident and humble at the same time! Humility is thinking of yourself less. When you stay focused on God and helping other people, you naturally think about yourself less.
That’s not an easy way to live. Why would anybody choose to think of others more than they think of themselves? Because God makes many promises in the Bible for Christians who will humble themselves. Humility is a big deal to God.
Here are four things God will do in your life when you work on being humble.
If you’re humble, God will guide you.
If you don’t know which way to turn—whether to get in or get out, hold on or let go—then get humble. When you humble yourself, God will make your next step clear. You’ll make fewer mistakes in life! “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9 NIV).
If you’re humble, God will bless you.
These promises are all through Scripture, like Isaiah 66:2: “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts” (NLT). God doesn’t bless egotistic or prideful people or those who secretly think they’re better than everybody else. He blesses the humble.
If you’re humble, God will give you the power to change.
The power to change is called grace. Maybe there are things in your life you’d like to change. Perhaps you’ve tried to change, but you can’t or you won’t. You need grace!
How do you get God’s grace and the power to change? “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NLT). Every time you’re prideful, you’re on the opposite side of God—and you don’t want to be there. The humbler you are, the more grace God gives you.
If you’re humble, God will reduce your stress.
If you’re prideful, your stress is going to go up. Instead, listen to Jesus: “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 NLT).
When you’re tapped out and feel like you have nothing left to give, surrender to Jesus. Spend time in the Bible, learning how to choose gentleness and humility by his example. Pray, and ask him for the grace to change.
Then you’ll find the rest your soul has been craving.
Talk It Over
- Think of someone you know who is both humble and confident. What do you believe helps them think of others more than they think of themselves?
- Why do you think God gives grace to the humble and not the proud?
- How does walking with Jesus help you keep your stress level down?
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