Drawing Near to God

 The Grace of Humility

Submitting to God’s Will

Trusting God’s Plan for Our Lives

(James 4:6-17)

In James 4:6-17, we are reminded of two powerful truths: God’s grace is given to the humble, and our lives are fleeting. James speaks to the tension between pride and humility, warning us against the arrogance of thinking we can live apart from God’s will. He encourages us to draw near to God, to submit ourselves entirely to His authority, and to resist the temptations of the world. Through this passage, we find a deeper call to humility, surrender, and trust in God’s sovereign plan for our lives.

God’s Grace for the Humble

James begins with a powerful statement: “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6, ESV). This verse sets the foundation for understanding our need to submit to God. Pride blocks our access to God’s grace because it focuses on self-reliance and self-exaltation. In contrast, humility opens the door to God’s abundant grace, enabling us to live in dependence on Him.

Charles Spurgeon captures this truth beautifully: “The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves. As we go lower in our estimation of self, we rise in God’s estimation of us.” Spurgeon reminds us that true greatness in God’s eyes is found not in lifting ourselves up, but in humbling ourselves before Him. When we acknowledge our need for God and relinquish our attempts to control our lives, we position ourselves to receive His grace.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

James 4:7 offers us both a challenge and a promise: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submission to God is an act of trust, acknowledging that His plans are better than our own. It is not about passive resignation but active surrender—choosing to align our desires and actions with His will. Eugene Peterson explains, “Submission is the deliberate act of setting aside our preferences in favor of God’s purposes.” In submitting to God, we place His will above our own, trusting that His ways lead to life, peace, and true fulfillment.

The call to resist the devil is equally important. When we humble ourselves before God, we must also stand firm against the forces of temptation and pride. Alexander Maclaren offers this insight: “The only way to resist the devil is to be strong in God. Submission to God is the essence of resistance to evil.” Maclaren emphasizes that our strength to resist temptation and sin comes from our relationship with God. When we draw near to Him, we are empowered to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Drawing Near to God

James gives a clear invitation in James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This invitation to intimacy with God reveals His deep desire to be close to us. It is not God who pulls away from us; it is we who often stray. Matthew Henry writes, “If there be not a close communion between God and our souls, it is our own fault.” Henry’s words challenge us to take responsibility for our spiritual distance from God. If we are not experiencing the nearness of God, we must examine whether we have allowed pride, distractions, or sin to come between us and our Creator.

God’s response to our drawing near is always grace. He does not reject those who humbly seek Him; instead, He welcomes them with open arms. William Barclay adds, “When a man draws near to God, it is not God who moves, but man who returns to his true place.” Barclay’s insight reminds us that drawing near to God is a return to where we were always meant to be—in close fellowship with Him.

The Fleeting Nature of Life

James shifts the focus in James 4:13-15, warning us against the arrogance of making plans without acknowledging God’s sovereignty: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring” (James 4:13-14, ESV). This reminder of the brevity of life should humble us and cause us to trust more fully in God’s control over our future.

We often live as if we have full control over our lives, making plans with certainty and confidence, forgetting that life is fragile and fleeting. James reminds us that we “are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14, ESV). This truth should lead us to a posture of humility, acknowledging that only God knows the future.

Eugene Peterson captures this tension well when he says, “We are not in control of our own lives, and pretending we are is the height of pride. Wisdom teaches us to make plans with humility, acknowledging that our lives are in God’s hands.” Our human tendency is to plan for the future as though we hold the reins, but true wisdom teaches us to submit those plans to God. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we can trust the One who holds tomorrow.

In James 4:10, we are urged to “humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and He will exalt [us].” This is the essence of living in God’s wisdom: surrendering our pride, acknowledging our limitations, and trusting in God’s good and perfect will. It is not wrong to plan, but it is wrong to plan as though God does not have ultimate control over our lives. When we humble ourselves, recognizing our dependence on Him, He promises to lift us up in due time.

James’ message is clear: pride blinds us to our need for God, while humility opens the door to His grace. As we live our lives with an awareness of their fleeting nature, we are reminded to humbly submit our plans, ambitions, and dreams to the One who sees all and knows all.

Living in the Light of God’s Will

James concludes this section with a sobering thought: “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17, ESV). This verse underscores the importance of not only avoiding sin but actively doing good. Our lives are not our own, and when we live with the awareness of God’s will, we are responsible for aligning our actions with that will.

Matthew Henry comments on this verse, “Sins of omission are as real and grievous as sins of commission. To know what is right and not to do it is a sin against both God and conscience.” It is easy to think of sin only in terms of what we do wrong, but James reminds us that neglecting to do what is right is equally sinful. Living in the light of God’s will means not only avoiding evil but pursuing righteousness, mercy, and justice in all areas of our lives.

Conclusion

James 4:6-17 offers a powerful call to humility, submission, and trust in God’s will. The world often encourages pride, self-reliance, and the illusion of control, but God’s Word calls us to something deeper and truer. Charles Spurgeon’s words ring out clearly: “The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves.” As we humble ourselves before God, submit to His will, and draw near to Him, we experience the abundant grace He promises to give.

William Barclay speaks to this truth: “Man’s plans must always be at the mercy of God’s purposes, for man cannot see beyond the present moment.” Barclay’s reflection encourages us to hold our plans loosely, always seeking God’s guidance and direction. True humility is found in submitting to God’s sovereignty, trusting that His plans are better than our own.

May we live each day with the awareness that our lives are not our own, that we are wholly dependent on God’s grace and sovereignty. In our planning, our actions, and our thoughts, let us seek to align ourselves with the will of our loving Father, who gives grace to the humble and draws near to those who seek Him.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your grace that is poured out on the humble. Teach us to surrender our pride and submit fully to Your will. Help us to draw near to You, trusting in Your wisdom and plans for our lives. Guide our steps, and remind us daily that our lives are in Your hands. May we walk in humility, resist temptation, and live each day in obedience to Your Word. We ask for Your strength to do what is right and Your mercy to sustain us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.