Sunday Recap for 7/9 – Big Picture Question:  How does God oppose the proud but give grace to the humble?

Sunday Recap for 7/9 – Big Picture Question:  How does God oppose the proud but give grace to the humble?

Sunday, July 9, Evident Grace Fellowship looked at this Big Picture Question:

What does it mean that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble

And we looked at 1 Samuel 2:4-8

4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world

And we found these 3 answers to our Big Picture Question

What does it mean that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble

  • He changes dependencies.
  • He reverses fortunes.
  • He brings glory to Himself.

He changes dependencies

1 Samuel 2:4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 5 aThose who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.

Hannah sings of how God brings the proud down and exalts the humble.  The warrior who trusts his weapon…his weapon will be broken.  But the humble will literally put on the very strength of God itself.  Those who trust their possessions and the works of their hands, God will change their dependency.  Those who have been hungry, God will fill.

We may not see God do all of this in this world, but He will ultimately do it, even if in the world to come.  But God will definitively change the dependencies of His children.  He will either reorganize our lives or reorganize our hearts so that we trust Him.

He reverses fortunes

1 Samuel 2:5bThe barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 aHe raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.

God is sovereign and all-powerful.  God will cast down the proud and live up the lowly.  Those who trust themselves are forlorn, cast down to Sheol, made poor, and brought low.  The humble are blessed, give life, made rich, exalted, and give a seat of honor.

Though we desire to be strong and independent.  The place of worship is dependent on God.

He brings glory to Himself

1 Samuel 2:8bFor the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.

Everything in this world is to give glory to God.  Pride cannot give glory to God.  Humility always does.

Big Picture Question: What does it mean that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble?

Truth:  God receives glory and pours out grace as you depend on Him during trials and tribulations.

Application:  Live knowing that God always gives grace, even as He exalts or humbles you.

Action:  More grace.  More humility.  More humility.  More grace.

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