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James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)
Lift.
 Compare ch. 1:9. The “humble” will be exalted by God in this life to a certain extent, but more fully in the life to come. It is He who will “revive the spirit of the humble” (see on Isa. 57:15). As will Jonathan and John the Baptist (Ed 156, 157), “those who through self-abnegation have entered into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings” will reap the reward of eternal honor. He who is willing to be taught of God and to trust His guidance will never be forsaken (see on Prov. 15:33).
Sight.
 The contriteness thus urged will be genuine because the “humble” man does not wear a false modesty, to be seen only by men. Neither the outward deeds nor the inward motives are hidden from the Lord (see 2 Chron. 16:9; Heb. 4:13). Regardless of the nature of the sin and whoever may have been wronged by it, the Lord Himself is the chief one sinned against (see on Ps. 51:4).
Humble.
 See on Matt. 11:29; 23:12; James 1:9. Thus James summarizes the various admonitions concerning an undivided loyalty to the will of God. For an honest man, a true picture of personal wretchedness produces a humble spirit before God, who is ever willing to forgive (see on Isa. 57:15).