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Bending Low to be Lifted High

Read: James 4:9-10

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 “So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4, NIV

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“Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as ‘our illustrious guest.’ Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, ‘Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master.’” 1

 

Humility is a challenging thing to grow into. It makes us uncomfortable, and even afraid – afraid that humility will decrease our success and remove any recognition for our hard work. What comes more naturally is to exalt ourselves. In chapter 4 of his epistle, James addresses this challenge, and reminds us the benefits we receive for a humble heart.

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Big Idea:    Humility before God leads to His blessing.

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Pride is a common feature in most people’s lives. In everyday life, society rarely praises humility – maybe because it doesn’t notice it. Despite the world overlooking it, the kingdom of heaven treasures it. God values humbleness greatly.

 

Look at how James urges believers to live in it: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (NIV) The word humble carries the idea of “to make low, bring low”. 2 That’s different than a selfish, entitled attitude!

 

Have you ever seen a small, ungrateful child receive a present with a bad attitude? I think every parent has corrected their children one time or another to receive a gift and smile in a peaceful, polite, and humble way. No different when God and His children, I think!

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Insight:  Humbling Ourselves before God is an Act of Surrender that Unlocks Full Appreciation for God’s Blessings.

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Notably, the word for humble is only used 15 times, and one of the places in the New Testament caught my attention. In Luke 18, Jesus was talking about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee bragged about how faithful he was with tithing and rituals. By contrast, the disliked Tax Collector was justified because he surrendered to God in humility.

 

Luke 18:13-14 says, “‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” 14 ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’”

 

What an awesome promise from God! It’s a promise that can change our lives. Embracing surrender means we line up our lifestyles with the perfect standard of God. God has called us to be humble. Blessing awaits those who humble themselves.

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Challenge:   What do I get prideful about? What am I reluctant to surrender to God? What are some ways I can let go of pride?

 

Pray:  Asking God to help me submit to His wisdom and view myself in humility...

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Going Deeper:

 

 The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible explains the connection between humility and mourning:

 

“Scripture often connected mourning and humbling oneself with repentance (Lev 23:27 – 29; 26:41), especially when confronted with divine judgment (2Ki 22:11; Joel 1:13 – 14; 2:12 – 13). Biblical prophets also announced the exaltation of the humble (see note on Mt 23:12)." 3

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Devotion written by Pastor Frank & Samuel Gervasi

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1. “Humility”, sermonillustrations,com, Complied from Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers by Warren Wiersbe, pg. 243. As accessed at https://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/h/humility.htm, on 1/23/2026.
2. “Tapeinoo”, InterLinear Bible, keyed to Strong’s Concordance. As accessed at https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/tapeinoo.html, on 1/23/2026.
3. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by Zondervan. BibleGatewayPlus, www.biblegateway.com, as accessed on 1/23/2026

4. Audio Track, King of Glory, Mac Powell.