Verse of the Day 11/19

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 22-24, James 4   Good morning,  If you were asked to give the qualities the attributes of God what would you say?  Would being humble be one of them?   The men's small group that I'm in just completed "The Truth Project".  In the final lesson Dell Tacket shared how this thought, this concept impacted his life.  He referenced Matthew 11:28-29.  Normally, when we read these verses we tend to focus on the words "come to me" being under heavy burden, to find rest.  Today let's consider that Jesus considered himself to be "gentle" and "humble" in heart.   Matt 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  NIV   For today's verses we'll continue in the book of James, where James tells us. James 4: 6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  NLT . Think of the ways Jesus showed himself to be humble.  He came to earth in humility being born in a manger.  He humbled himself in serving his disciples, washing their feet. He humbled himself in serving the "lowest" in society, the downcast, the sick, the helpless and raising them up, giving them hope, healing, and life.  To do this he had to take, make the time for those he served.   You might say he stood in the gap for them, he bridged the gap for them and offers to do the same for us.  If we are his we should be looking to stand in the gap for others as well.   Today's Old Testament reading was in the book of Ezekiel where the prophet had these words for God's people.   Ezek 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.  NIV When God looks in your town for someone to stand in the gap, will He find someone?  Will it be you?  God gives us the grace to stand, to stand in the gap. (v.6)   James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. NIV   He will lift you up and help you to stand for Him in the gap. In Christ, Mike James 4:5-13  6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. Warning against Judging Others 11 Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?  NLT