But God Gives Grace to the Humble | Anchored in Hope Devotions

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” - 1 Peter 5:5b

Last week we talked about pride and its consequences, but this week we are talking about how God gives grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5 talks about clothing ourselves in humility towards others. The Blue Letter Bible says this about how the Greek word, egkomboomai, is used in the Bible:

“This was the white scarf or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the vest and distinguished slaves from freemen. Therefore, 1 Pet 5:5 ("gird yourselves with humility as your servile garb") encourages Christians to show their subjection one to another by putting on humility. This could also refer to the overalls which slaves wore to keep clean while working—an exceedingly humble garment”

All this raises a question for us as believers. Do we live our lives with the intention of other people noticing us, praising us, or thinking well of us? Or are we living our lives to give honor to the King of Kings who sent His only Son to die in our place so that our relationship with God could be restored, and we can live with Him forever?

Everyday, including today, we are faced with many opportunities to influence the world around us. So are we using our influence to be examples of God’s goodness in our own lives, or are we just concerned by the lens of how others view us?

Luke 22:25-27 states “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

By God’s grace and strength alone, let us be like Christ and be the one who humbly serves others today!

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

-Ramiro D. Franco