Four Promises for the Humble

by Rick Warren — September 28, 2024
From 40 Days of Prayer

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less. When you stay focused on God and helping other people, you naturally think about yourself less.

Why would anybody choose to think of others more than they think of themselves? Because God has told us to, and he makes many promises in the Bible for those who humble themselves.

Here are four things God will do in your life when you start focusing on others more than yourself.

If you’re humble, God will guide you.
If you don’t know which way to turn—whether to get in or get out, to hold on or let go—then get humble. When you humble yourself, God will make your next step clear. You’ll make fewer mistakes and be closer to God’s will for your life. Psalm 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (NIV).

If you’re humble, God will bless you.
These promises are all through Scripture, like Isaiah 66:2: “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts” (NLT). God doesn’t bless egotistic or prideful people or those who secretly think they’re better than everybody else. He blesses those who seek him first.

If you’re humble, God will give you the power to change.
The power to change is called grace. Maybe there are things in your life you’ve tried to change, but you can’t or you won’t. You need grace! 

How do you get God’s grace and the power to change? “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NLT). Every time you’re prideful, you’re on the opposite side of God—and you don’t want to be there. The humbler you are, the more grace God gives you.

If you’re humble, God will reduce your stress.
If you’re prideful, your stress is going to go up. Instead, listen to Jesus: “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 NLT).

When you feel like you have nothing left to give, surrender to Jesus. Spend time studying the Bible, learning how to choose gentleness and humility by Jesus’ example. Pray, and ask him for the grace to change.

Then you’ll find the rest your soul has been craving. Change your focus, and it will change your life.

Talk It Over

  • Think of someone you know who is both humble and confident. What do you think helps them keep a healthy balance of those two traits?
  • When you are humble, what are you recognizing is true about yourself and God?
  • What are some specific examples of when Jesus chose humility while he was on earth? How does following Jesus’ example help give you the right perspective?

Are you ready to find rest in God?

The first step toward rest is to make peace with God by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You can start by praying this simple prayer:

“Dear God, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in Jesus, you’ll forgive me for everything I’ve ever done wrong, you’ll show me the purpose of my life, and you’ll accept me into your family and bring me to heaven one day to live with you for eternity.

“Jesus, I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I ask you to come into my life as my Lord. Today, I commit my life to you.

“I want to live the way you created me to live—at peace and rested—and to use the remainder of my life to serve you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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