1 Peter 5:5-7 – “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 

If it is helpful to you in this passage, during Biblical times, someone was considered “younger” and a “youth” until 40 years of age.  Even if you have reached that point, the application is the same; unlike the cliche would have you believe, God does not help those who help themselves, God helps those who come to Him for help.

God opposes the proud.  Those who want to put on false pretenses of righteousness.  Those who want to judge others who are repentant in their sin.  Those who want to clean up their life before coming to God.  Those who do not come to God, because they feel like life is going well.  It is not simply that God does not listen to these prideful people, God opposes them, He is actively against them.

I have been every one of those people, and it was the mercy of God that He opposed me, and brought me to a place of humility.  So if that is you today, my encouragement is to lay down pretenses, stop caring whether or not someone may judge you, and just entrust yourself to the grace of God.

If God opposes the proud, how much more does he enter in and care for and love those who come to Him and others in humility?  He gives grace?  What does that mean?  It means, instantaneous, perfect fellowship with your Creator.  Your burdens are not your burdens, they are known to your loving Father, and He wants to carry them, and walk with you.

Our God spoke, and from nothing all things were created (Gen 1).  This is our God.  If God is able to speak all of creation into existence, perfectly, exactly as He desired – how does that impact our ability to come to Him, to trust His ability to work in our lives?  His hand is mighty to save and redeem brokenness.  My exhortation today, is to go to Him, go to your faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in humility, and believe in the God of the gospel.  He loves you and is for you.

Grace and Peace,

Adam