In this short post I will cite some of the many passages which make it emphatically clear that the Lord grants mercy and grace to those who humble themselves before him.

“Yet it came about, when Ahab heard these words, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about despondently. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; I will bring the disaster upon his house in his son’s days.’” 1 Kings 21:27-29

“But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord, this is what you shall say to him: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: “Regarding the words which you have heard, since your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become an object of horror and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have indeed heard you,” declares the Lord.’” 2 Kings 22:18-19

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

“So the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The Lord is righteous.’ When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves, so I will not destroy them; and I will grant them a little deliverance, and My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak.’… And when he humbled himself, the anger of the LORD turned away from him, so as not to destroy him completely; and conditions were also good in Judah. 2 Chronicles 12:6-7, 12

“He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.” Psalm 25:9

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

“Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have practiced His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will remain hidden On the day of the LORD’s anger.” Zephaniah 2:3

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-4  

“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.” Luke 1:52

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

“Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the [a]temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’” Luke 18:9-14

“He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’… Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:6, 10

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,” 1 Peter 5:5-6

All biblical citations taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

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