James 4:7b NLT
Christians everywhere love this portion of Scripture. In the middle of every battle we face, we encourage ourselves and each other with this passage. We whisper it, shout it, pray it, repeat it like a battle cry... and wonder why the devil won't flee. And then whine to God, "Why isn't it working?"
In this age of bottom-liner business, summarized suppositions, Readers Digest condensed versions of life, we're-so-busy-we-don't-have-time-for... we tend to only skim through and pick those portions of the Bible that we think apply directly to us or the circumstance that we're in. The Truth is - it ALL applies directly to us. It's either something we should do or examples of what we should not do.
In context, this passage (vvs 7-10) in James reads, So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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. 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. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
All Christians want to be closer to God. But wanting something is much different than actually doing what it takes to get it. James tells us exactly how to get close to God. First, we must humble ourselves. Other versions read submit yourselves. That involves voluntarily and purposefully, intentionally giving ourselves to God, our WHOLE life - desires, dreams, plans - to HIS choices for our lives - even when it's not what we WANT.
If we are not feeling close to God, it's not because HE has moved away from us.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for leaving You in the dust of our lives as we run off to do whatever we think is more important. The Truth is that NOTHING is more important than You. Father, we humble ourselves before You, submitting our life - all of it - to Your will. We cast off the temporary pleasures of life that lead us away from spending eternal time with You. Forgive us, Father, and help us to walk toward You. We want to be close to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Christians everywhere love this portion of Scripture. In the middle of every battle we face, we encourage ourselves and each other with this passage. We whisper it, shout it, pray it, repeat it like a battle cry... and wonder why the devil won't flee. And then whine to God, "Why isn't it working?"
In this age of bottom-liner business, summarized suppositions, Readers Digest condensed versions of life, we're-so-busy-we-don't-have-time-for... we tend to only skim through and pick those portions of the Bible that we think apply directly to us or the circumstance that we're in. The Truth is - it ALL applies directly to us. It's either something we should do or examples of what we should not do.
In context, this passage (vvs 7-10) in James reads, So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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. 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. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
All Christians want to be closer to God. But wanting something is much different than actually doing what it takes to get it. James tells us exactly how to get close to God. First, we must humble ourselves. Other versions read submit yourselves. That involves voluntarily and purposefully, intentionally giving ourselves to God, our WHOLE life - desires, dreams, plans - to HIS choices for our lives - even when it's not what we WANT.
If we are not feeling close to God, it's not because HE has moved away from us.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for leaving You in the dust of our lives as we run off to do whatever we think is more important. The Truth is that NOTHING is more important than You. Father, we humble ourselves before You, submitting our life - all of it - to Your will. We cast off the temporary pleasures of life that lead us away from spending eternal time with You. Forgive us, Father, and help us to walk toward You. We want to be close to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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