BiblicalInsights.net

In James 4:6, the Word of the God declares, “God resists the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.”  Several insights can be gained from this succinct statement of Scripture.
First, the word “resists” is from the Greek word antitasso which is a military term that depicts the orderly arrangement of troops to successfully wage combat against the enemy (non-compliant person).  It depicts an arrangement of military forces to crush the enemy.  God’s face is against them.  God has become an adversary to them.  The proud person is the arrogant person who refuses to submit to God’s Will.  This personal obstinacy against God is met with God’s response of “resistance.”  This means that God has become their foe.  Consider this important fact.  Satan is also an adversary to them.  Peter depicts Satan as a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour (I Pet. 5:8).  Satan is an adversary and a destroyer (Rev. 9:11).  When the proud person, even if he or she is a Christian, sets himself against God, he has doubled his trouble!  Not only is Satan against him, but, now, God is against him.  James has already addressed this spiritual dilemma.  “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).  The height of human arrogance is manifested in disobedience to God.  The “world” is characterized by the works of the flesh.  “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).  It is one thing to have Satan as your enemy.  It is quite another to have God as your enemy.  When both Satan and God are against you, you have no hope of victory.
Second, the transition from a haughty spirit to a humble heart is an act of personal will.  God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  The humble (tapeinos) person is contrite, exhibits lowliness of mind and heart, and has succeeded in slaying pride.  Pride is slain through repentance which affects a change of heart toward God.  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (I Pet. 5:6).  Humility is accomplished by self-denial (Matt. 16:24).  Our personal will must become one with the will of God.
Third, submission to God’s authority is essential to obtaining the grace of God.  The command is to “submit yourselves” (James 4:7, hupotasso) or willingly place ourselves under the authority of God.  This removes conflict between ourselves and God.  It avoids the chastening of God for Christians who disobey Him and it invites God’s grace.  God’s grace is conditional.  It is conditioned upon humble obedience to His commands.  God’s grace is appropriated through obedience which is accompanied by faith and love.  God’s grace involves the fullness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:29).  It involves our: forgiveness, sonship, heirship, fellowship with deity and with the saints, oneness with the triune God, and hope of everlasting life.
When we transgress God’s law, we exhibit a pride that God opposes.  We have doubled our trouble.  The only escape from this spiritual dilemma is humble obedience spurred by repentance.

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Ps. 85:6). This is a plea for God to restore the joy through spiritual renewal and revival.
Ps. 85 has no attribution.  The main idea of restoration of God’s people due to the mercies of the LORD is captivating.  Renewal comes through the mercies of the LORD.  The whole Psalm heralds a greater revival under the reign of the Messiah.
Keep your eye on God.  God acts in behalf of His people and so is able to renew them in spiritual ways with His mercy, truth, righteousness and peace.  When God’s people are undone, estranged by their sins, only He can revive them.
See What God Hath Done
God has been favourable unto their land.  He has brought back the captivity of Judah.  He has forgiven the iniquity of the people.  He has covered all their sin.  He has taken away all His wrath.  He has turned from the fierceness of His anger (Ps. 85:1-3).   Revival is dependent upon the mercies of the LORD.  Where God is, there is hope.  God is everywhere at all times and so His people are never without hope.  The hopeless are Godless (destitute of God, Eph. 2:12).
The Ernest Plea of God’s People
The plea for mercy is recorded in Ps. 85:4-7.  Turn us, O God of our salvation.  God’s chastisement turns the people back to Him.  If they turn to God, God will turn away from His wrath.  Our trials frequently arise out of our own sins.  These sins are self-inflicted wounds.  However, we can change course or direction and end up at a different destination.  Movement in God’s direction brings His mercies to us.  Wilt thou be angry forever?  Is there no boundary to God’s wrath?  Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?  Wilt thou revive us again?  God will return in all of His power to save and to restore the joy.  Joy follows revival.  Joy follows repentance.  Joy follows restoration.  Revive us, O LORD, that we may rejoice in Thee!
The Goodness of God Brings Peace
In Ps. 85:8-13, God’s peace is restored.  Sin agitates the soul.  Through God’s mercy, truth and righteousness, peace can be realized.  The perfections of God act together to bless.  Mercy and truth are a powerful combination for revival.  Truth guides the soul while mercy heals it.  Righteousness and peace kiss.  This is another powerful combination.  Righteousness preserves relationship with God and prevents backsliding.  Through mercy, truth, and righteousness there is peace with God.  Peace is the cessation of enmity between humanity and God that results in the tranquility of soul that fears nothing from God, but basks in His grace.  It is contentment (I shall not want).  It is satisfaction (lying down in green pastures beside still waters).  It is the result of the pursuit of the pathway of righteousness.  It is fearlessness in the face of death because of God’s presence and power.  It is abundant provision from God in the face of the enemy. It is God’s goodness and mercy in pursuit of us for a lifetime.  It culminates in the hope that we will dwell with God forever (Ps. 23).  A beautiful metaphor captures the essence of the the spiritual realities.  The earth yielding flowers of truth.  The heavens shining with stars of holiness.  The spheres mirroring each other’s beauties.  This is the beauty of God- His mercy, truth, righteousness and peace.
First, there is trouble.  Sin interrupts and separates us from God.  Then, there is God!  See what God hath done.  The plea for mercy is answered.  When we turn away from our iniquities and God returns to us in the fullness of His glory and goodness, then, through His mercy, truth, and righteousness, we have peace.  The joy has been restored!