Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Tues 9th June – James 1:5-11
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Tues 9th June – Read James 1:5-11
V5: The only source of true wisdom is God. Which of us doesn’t lack it at times – how do we make hard decisions, how do we know God’s will? ASK HIM, says James, He is the God of generous grace, He will never blame you for coming to Him in prayer, rather He will answer, and show you His way.
V6-7: But we must ask in true faith, we must not doubt that He will hear and answer. He compares doubting Christians to tossing waves driven by the winds. When doubt fills our hearts, how can we expect God to answer? (Yet for all that, remember God is gracious, often we are like the man in Mark 9:24 – ” I believe – help my unbelief!” ) But James is calling us to that assured faith which triumphs over our doubts, by God’s grace in us.
V8: “Doubleminded” is not a momentary wobble, but a fixed disposition where faith never confidently lays hold of God. Such a one lacks stability in every aspect of their ( Christian ) life. Rather, let us look to Jesus in trust and dependence.
V9: “Lowly” here is not speaking so much of that meekness and humility we are all to know before God and our fellows ( Matthew 5:5 ) But those literally in a humble human condition – remember many of these early Christians were poor, low in human status, some literally slaves. James tells them to “boast” – that is set their glory in, the exaltation that waits for them, and for every believer because of Christ’s redeeming love.
V10: And let those whose human condition is very different, who are rich and well placed, remember how vain is any trust in these things – the things of this world they – and we – are so easily tempted to rely on. ( See also 1 Peter 1:24-25.) James says the same here – let such a one be humble before God, relying only on His grace.
V11: So, the image of the sun burning up the flowers that were so lovely the day before, but are now withered and dead, is likened to the vain trust in earthly riches, etc. Such verses as these make us ask, is James addressing believers, or those who may be in the circle of believers ( “church attenders” in our terms ) but have no real faith? Opinions differ, but the warning not to give the things of this world too much place in our hearts surely speaks to us all?