It is true that the grace of God is unmerited favor; there is nothing we can do to earn it. His grace is also multifaceted. On one hand, God “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), and we are told that “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).
However, on the other hand, the Lord makes different aspects of His grace conditional. According to the Bible, that condition, lowliness, is a prerequisite to obtaining and enjoying the grace of God. This concept is presented in various ways in Scripture, but one important verse from the Old Testament that is quoted and applied in the New Testament is Proverbs 3:34. “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
Indeed, God gives grace to the lowly. The key to receiving His grace is humility. Thus, a proud man cannot recognize nor receive this aspect of God’s grace. The Apostle Peter quoted and applied Proverbs 3:34 in his epistle when he encouraged his fellow shepherds, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).
What does it mean to be lowly, according to the Bible? The Hebrew word translated “lowly” in Proverbs 3:34 is עָנָו (anav). This important Hebrew term is sometimes translated “poor” or “afflicted,” in reference to a physical condition of weakness or pecuniary poverty. But it is also translated figuratively as “meek,” “humble,” or “lowly,” which reflects Peter’s admonition to be humble or have an attitude of humility.
This virtue of humility, which is the same as lowliness, is the key to all other virtues. Besides Proverbs 3, let’s consider seven other key verses in the Bible that demonstrate how God extends His grace to those who are humble. Each of these Scriptures, although translating the same word in various ways, are all rooted in the Hebrew word, עָנָו (anav, lowly).
The Lord hears the prayers of the lowly.
“LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear” (Psalm 10:17). Have you ever wondered why your prayers are not being heard or answered? Perhaps it is because you have not grown sufficiently in this key quality of humility. Scripture states that it is the humble man whose desires the Lord hears.
The Lord guides the lowly.
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way” (Psalm 25:9). The humble and lowly Christian is the one that the Lord is willing to lead and guide. The man who proudly assumes that he can plow his own way through life will struggle blindly without the Lord’s guidance and direction. But the man or woman who humbly seeks the Lord’s guidance will not be disappointed.
The Lord gives peace to the lowly.
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:11). Yes, this is the foundation of the beatitude that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Christ blesses the lowly and gives the earth to the meek and humble soul. The context of this psalm teaches that, although the wicked man may flourish for a little while “like a green bay tree” (verse 35), yet it is the meek man who will inherit the earth in the end.
The Lord exalts the lowly.
“The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground” (Psalm 147:6). Mary, the mother of Jesus, quoted this Scripture in her famous Magnificat when she said, “He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree” (Luke 1:52). The God of grace looks down in favor upon the lowly. In her song of praise, Mary humbly acknowledged her own lowliness.
The Lord takes pleasure in the lowly.
“For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). How wonderful to consider that God can take pleasure in His people! The Father Who was well pleased with His Son is willing also to take pleasure in the lowly sinners whom His Son has redeemed. He gives “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3), and He beautifies lowly sinners with His salvation.
The Lord increases the joy of the lowly.
“The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 29:19). We would not naturally associate joy with poverty or affliction, that is, lowliness. But God does! It is not the proud, rich man who is joyful. On the contrary, his selfishness makes him miserable. Rather, it is the humble, lowly soul that rejoices in the manifold grace of God.
The Lord gives the Gospel to the lowly.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). Our Lord Jesus read this text from the scroll in the synagogue in Nazareth. He then applied it to Himself with the words, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). Christ came to give the Gospel to the meek and lowly.
In light of these verses, can we earn God’s grace? No! We cannot earn God’s grace by human merit or effort. However, we can receive it as humble sinners. Truly, this confession of our sinful soul is the only way to receive God’s grace. He gives grace to the lowly. May we always seek to cultivate a heart of meekness and humility so that we may be recipients of the most priceless treasure in the universe—the grace of God.
