More Grace

James 4:6: “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, / But gives grace to the humble.'”

The key to walking in this world but not of this world (John 17:16, Rom. 12:2) is to walk in God’s grace. And that’s fortunate for us because James tells us that God “gives more grace.” The way to receive more grace from God, according to the second half of this verse, a quote from Proverbs 3:34, is to humble ourselves before God and others: “God resists the proud, / But gives grace to the humble.” The Book of Hebrews also encourages us to go to God for grace: “Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). It is impossible to get into a circumstance where our need for grace is greater than God’s supply. There is no end to His grace for the humble. This is true even if we stumble back into some sin over and over again. We get out of it the same way we did the first time, by humbling ourselves, repenting, and confessing our sins before God.

Many years ago the Puritan pastor John Blanchard wrote on this verse from James, “For daily need there is daily grace; for sudden need, sudden grace; for overwhelming need, overwhelming grace.” The ex-slave trader turned pastor, John Newton, authored the song “Amazing Grace” from his own experience of receiving much grace. We appreciate how these words have ministered down through the centuries: “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound / That saved a wretch like me . . . Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far / And grace will lead me home.” Perhaps you are currently facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in life? Remind yourself what James promises, that “He gives more grace.” God’s grace is sufficient for job loss, relationship failure, incurable disease, financial disasters, and even death. Your heavenly Father waits to pour grace onto you and your problem right this moment. His door is marked “Humble Yourself,” and His throne room is overflowing with grace upon grace for you. “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).

“LORD, please send Your grace now, enough grace for this day, we ask in Jesus’ name.”