Those Whom God Draws Near To

James 4:6–10 ESV

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

We are in relationship with God but who is it that He will draw near to?

One characteristic is being HUMBLE!

Isaiah 57:15 NKJV

15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

So when God exalts us its into His presence.

1)Lets look at the Bible dictionary definition of humility and also in the context of Scripture.

BIBLE DICTIONARY DEFINITION

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Humility

HUMILITY The personal quality of being free from arrogance and pride and having an accurate estimate of one’s worth.

Humility is far more than self-deprecation. It represents an accurate self-assessment that acknowledges both personal limitations and sinfulness while recognizing any gifts as originating from God

Humility is to be brought low. Either by ourselves which is the preferred way or to be humbled by the Lord.

Examples of God bringing someone low.

Example: Saul of Tarsus — Humbled on the Damascus Road

Acts 9:1-19

Saul believed he was serving God while persecuting Christians.

Jesus appeared to him, blinded him, and completely overturned his life.

Lesson: God often humbles people before He greatly uses them.

Example: Also God uses consequences to bring us back to Him:

The Prodigal Son:

Luke 15:11-24

The son demanded his inheritance, squandered everything, and ended up feeding pigs.

Only then did he: "come to himself."

His humiliation became the doorway to restoration.

Example: God will withhold material substance to humble us and teach us that He is our source of life.

Deuteronomy 8:2–3 NIV

2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Example: Someone who humbled himself after being in pride is Hezekiah.

God told him to get his house in order because God was going to take his life.

Then Hezekiah humbled himself and God gave him 15 more years.

God's discipline may be announced, but humility can change how and when that discipline is experienced.

God delights to show mercy to the truly humble.

Philippians 2:3–8 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We can see that humility is fundamentally relational both towards God and others.

A) it considers other better than one self

B) it attends the interest of others

Its not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

Illustration The Family Dinner Table

Imagine a family sitting down for dinner. There is one last piece of your favorite dessert on the table.

Pride thinks:

"I hope nobody else takes it because I want it."

Humility thinks:

"Who would enjoy this most? Could I give it to someone else?"

Humility doesn't mean you believe everyone else is more valuable than you are. It means you are willing to place their interests ahead of your own.

Illustration The Doorway

Have you ever walked through a doorway at the same time as another person?

Pride rushes ahead and says,

"After you" only if it doesn't inconvenience me.

Humility pauses and says,

"You go first."

It's a tiny act, but it reveals a larger reality.

Humility constantly asks:

"How can I serve you?"

Pride asks:

"How can I be served?"

The difference between the two is often seen in a hundred small moments rather than one dramatic act.

Conclusion:

God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for humble people.

He is looking for hearts that say:

"Lord, I need You." "Lord, I cannot do this without You." "Lord, I surrender." "Lord, Your way is better than mine."

And when we humble ourselves before Him, He promises not to reject us but to revive us.

Isaiah says He revives the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite.

Maybe you feel weary today or distant from God.

The good news is that humility puts us in the very place where God loves to meet people.

Because the promise still stands:

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."

And the greatest exaltation is not fame, success, wealth, or recognition.

The greatest exaltation is that the living God draws near, walks with us, strengthens us, revives us, and makes His home with us.

May we be the people with whom God dwells.