|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 15, 2019 23:55:48 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:4, 15 August 2019www.wonderful1.com·Thursday, August 15, 2019·6 minutes Thursday, 14 August 2019
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 There is a difference between source texts here – Adulterers and adulteresses! (NKJV, et al) You adulteresses! (BSB, et al) The latter of the two is probably correct. Somewhere along the line, someone not understanding the uses of the feminine probably added in the masculine. But James is speaking to the believers in Christ who comprise His bride. In Matthew 12:39, Jesus uses similar terminology and equates the people of Israel as a “wicked and adulterous generation.” It implies that they are like an unfaithful wife.
The word translated as “adulteresses” is exactingly translated. It signifies not only a married woman who commits adultery, but it also speaks of people who worship any other than the true God. The same terminology is used of Israel throughout the Old Testament. The adulterous nature of the people against their Husband is highlighted.
James shows that this continues on in the body of believers in Messiah. Even Paul alludes to the bridal covenant, speaking of the Gentiles who are included in it, as a group who are espoused to a husband (2 Corinthians 11:2). Once espoused, the one so espoused is obligated to the betrothal and bears the full responsibility of fidelity.
With the terminology rightly understood, James then asks, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” The “friendship with the world” speaks of placing the things of the world in a position above one’s allegiance to the Lord. A spouse is to put her affections on her husband first and foremost. If she spends her time chasing after other men, she is failing to commit to her husband.
This does not mean that people cannot interact with the world around them. Paul makes that perfectly clear in 1 Corinthians 5 – “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”
What is obvious from Paul’s words, is that there are two ways that a believer may approach the world around him. The first is living in the world, associating with it, and using it in a manner which is customary to all human interaction. Nothing is forbidden in this. However, the second way is for the believer to act as the world acts. He lists such ways – sexual immorality, covetousness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness, being an extortioner, etc. The latter are acting as an unfaithful bride because they are placing a higher priority on what the world offers than on their allegiance to the Lord.
But note that Paul calls them believers, and he later says they are “inside,” meaning of the body which is the bride. He does not call into question their status, position, or salvation, but he does call into question their allegiance. For this, they will be judged – not for condemnation, but for reward and loss.
James next states explicitly, “Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” He shows that intent is equal to act. It is the heart which is being evaluated. It is not necessary for a person to actually be a friend of the world to be at enmity with God. Rather, whoever “wants to be” has already set the wall between himself and God. This is what Israel desired, and it is even what they did, but the Lord said that despite their ways, as a Husband He would cause it to cease. Follow the similarity in terminology in Ezekiel to what James is saying here – “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Are you defiling yourselves in the manner of your fathers, and committing harlotry according to their abominations? 31 For when you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day. So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I will not be inquired of by you. 32 What you have in your mind shall never be, when you say, ‘We will be like the Gentiles, like the families in other countries, serving wood and stone.’” Ezekiel 20:30-32
As is evidenced, Israel did – in fact – commit harlotry against the Lord. But the Lord, rather than rejecting Israel forever, twice sent her into exile. And yet, in her exile, He has remained faithful to the covenant which He established with them. What occurs with Israel is a type and picture of how God deals with all of those who come to Him in faith through the New Covenant. We may, in fact, commit harlotry against the Lord, but He will treat us in the New Covenant as He continues to treat Israel under the Old, meaning with perfect faithfulness. Our friendship with the world does not bring about our excision from the body. But it does bring us into temporal judgment in this world, and it will bring us into negative judgment at the Bema Seat of Christ – a judgment of reward and loss. It is a judgment of salvation, not for condemnation.
James’ words do not speak of a loss of salvation, but what is a proper standing of believers before God. In the coming verses, this will become painfully evident to those who believe that Christians can lose their salvation.
Life application: One should not get upset at James because of his tone. He is writing as if he were an honest pastor speaking to his audience – in general, but direct, terms. What is being said applies to all of us, but he is not simply pointing his finger at everyone else and claiming superiority over them. His point is that the envy and selfish ambition he describes shows a love of the world – the system of the world and all it entails. This would be different than the “world” mentioned in John 3:16 which speaks of the people of the world. When we put the love of the world ahead of our love for God, we are – by nature – at enmity with Him.
As Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 concerning money, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Devotion to God must be absolute. However, it doesn’t mean removing yourself from the world. This is what monks and other ascetics do, but the Bible doesn’t teach this either. We are to live in the world but not be “of” the world. We can freely use what is around us, but it is temporary and passing away. Putting our hope in things rather than God separates us from intimacy with Him. What is stealing your joy? If it is a material possession, then you need to let it go because you have lost your focus on God. In all things, remember to put God first and not be distracted by things of the world.
Lord God, we must admit that Your word often speaks directly of us. We often get sidetracked by the things of the world, and we even allow them to steal our joy. In the end, such things only separate us from intimacy with You, so please help us to keep our eyes, hearts, and thoughts on You at all times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 17, 2019 0:52:32 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:5, 16 August 2019WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2019· Friday, 16 August 2019 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? James 4:5
The words of James 4:5 are highly debated, and manuscripts and translations vary widely in what is stated. Some say that the spirit referred to is the spirit of man. Others say it is referring to the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit, some say that the Spirit “lusts against envy,” thus tying it in with Galatians 5:17 – “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
In other words, this view says that the Spirit “lusts against” or wars against envy which is a fleshly emotion. Others will say (as the NKJV) that “the Spirit who dwells in us years jealousy.” The meaning is that because we are sealed with the Spirit, there is a yearning for us to do that which is right and that the “Spirit which He implanted yearns tenderly over us” (Cambridge).
On the other hand, if it is speaking of the spirit in man (not the Holy Spirit), then one might agree with Albert Barnes – “The more obvious interpretation is to refer it to our spirit or disposition as we are by nature, and it is equivalent to saying that we are naturally prone to envy.”
The Aramaic Bible would agree with Barnes – “And perhaps you think the Scripture says in vain, ‘The spirit that dwells within us lusts with jealousy.’”
The first main problem lies in the fact that James begins with, “Or do you think that Scripture says in vain.” The dilemma with this is that there is no verse which can be cited as the source for this. However, the Greek term used, hē graphē, is always used to indicate a quote from the recognized Jewish canon, with the exception of Peter speaking of Paul’s words and equating them to Scripture.
Many attempts to resolve this have been made, one is that it is a general principle found throughout Scripture, and not any specific quote. The noun, however, is singular, implying one quote from a single part of Scripture. For every suggested answer, there is a corresponding difficulty which seems to speak against it. Thus, there are many translations.
One thing is for certain, James is writing to fellow believers. This can be seen, again, in verse 4:11 where he notes that they are “brethren.” Further, one cannot be an adulteress (see previous verse) if that person is not married to a husband. If believers are married, they have a sign of that union. For them, that sign is the Holy Spirit. It was given first at Pentecost, and it comes to any believer since then as a seal and guarantee (Ephesians 1:13, 14) when he believes.
What makes the most sense, simply because of the context (being married to the Lord and having the seal of the marriage) is that this is speaking of the Holy Spirit in us, and that it is yearning jealousy over our actions.
This would then explain the first part of the verse concerning what the Scripture says. The Lord, again and again in the Old Testament, refers to His jealous nature. It doesn’t need to be referring to all of Scripture (meaning the noun must be plural) such as, “as it is written in the Scriptures.” Rather, it can simply be referring to any single occasion, such as – “They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; With abominations they provoked Him to anger.” Deuteronomy 32:16
In this, it then would be an obvious reference to the fact that the Spirit is God; a member of the Trinity. The same God who yearned jealously over the people of Israel due to their adulterous ways now yearns jealously within each saved believer who acts in an adulterous manner. This view on James’ words is in accord with what will next be stated by him.
Life application: Surprisingly enough, this is a good verse for getting doctrine concerning the Spirit straight – not just on the issue of jealousy, but in other areas as well. God caused the Spirit to live in us. This, when taken in context, shows that the Spirit indwells the believer. Paul says this occurs the moment we believe – “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13
There is no “separate” baptism of the Holy Spirit and there is no sign necessary to know that He resides in you (such as a specific “prayer language”). The believer is given the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ.
Another area this verse deals with indirectly is eternal salvation. If we have the Spirit of God living in us and He envies intensely, then it implies that despite our failings, He never leaves us. As Hebrews says, Jesus is the author of “eternal salvation.” The Holy Spirit will never depart the believer in Christ. As this is so, shouldn’t we live in a manner that honors God rather than bringing about discipline for our envy, selfish ambition, strife, and other wayward conflicts?
Take time today to reflect on the nature of your salvation and the eternal rewards that it implies.
Great Lord and God! Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit and thank You that He will never leave us once we have trusted in the work of Jesus. Because of Jesus’ cross, we are free from condemnation and we live with Your presence ever within us! Glory to You in the highest. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 17, 2019 23:58:55 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:6, 17 August 2019www.wonderful1.com·Saturday, August 17, 2019 Saturday, 17 August 2019
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
The difficulty of the previous verse is more surely resolved in the words of this verse. As was seen, it is highly debated if the “spirit” referred to in the previous verse was that of man, or if it was speaking of the Holy Spirit. As James is speaking to “brethren,” and as he is referring to “adulteresses,” which implies being in a covenant relationship (because one cannot be an adulteress otherwise), then the previous verse was surely referring to the Holy Spirit.
Having that clarified, James then says of God, “But he gives more grace.” The thought here is based on what he has said already.
Because God is jealous, and because we are in a covenant relationship with Him which provokes that jealousy when we stray, one would expect His hand of stern discipline to come down upon us. But instead, because of His love for those who have come to Him, and in whom His Spirit dwells, He is willing to extend us grace when we redirect ourselves toward Him and away from that which is contrary to rightly worshiping Him.
With this understood, James then writes, “Therefore He says.” James now will cite scripture to support his line of reasoning concerning the whole passage thus far. “Therefore” is a way of summing up the way to deal with such things. Knowing this, he next cites the proverbs. This is a citation of Proverbs 3:34. The Hebrew of this proverb says – “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34
James cites not the Hebrew, but the Greek translation. It is a word for word citation. The difference between the Hebrew and Greek is minimal. Those who are “proud” are often “scornful” of God’s chosen path. Therefore, the meaning between the Hebrew and Greek is not drastically changed.
What James is saying is that by dropping one’s prideful attitude, and by pursuing the course laid out by God rather than that of this world, God’s grace can and will be fully realized. This thought looks to the working of the Spirit in the person when he is walking as He should in the covenant relationship with God.
Peter also cites this same proverb in 1 Peter 5:5. In his words, he is also speaking to saved believers and how they should conduct themselves before the elders and towards one another, but more especially how they should humble themselves “under the mighty hand of God.” James and Peter are in one accord concerning this precept.
Life application: Throughout the ages, man has fallen short of the glory of God. Even after the coming of Christ and the forgiveness of sins through His precious blood, man continues to falter and fall into sin – but He gives more grace.
There is no end to the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. And no sin you commit after trusting in Him can ever separate you again from the bonds of adoption – because He gives more grace.
Have you struggled with something that you feel is hindering your walk with God? Don’t try to hide it, He knows full well your limitations and… He gives more grace. Hand your weakness over to Him and ask Him to walk with you during the struggle. He will because… He gives more grace. When you demonstrate your humility through confession and supplication, God is pleased to lavish His grace upon you. Humility opens the doors of heaven to the children of God and restores God’s favor on you.
But God opposes the proud. This is the very reason why Christ Jesus is the only way to salvation. Confessing “Jesus is Lord” means that a person has said, “I can’t do it; I can’t save myself.” At the moment one comes to this realization and calls out, by faith, on the name of Jesus then God is pleased to give the unmerited favor – the grace – that we so desperately need.
At the same moment, God gives us mercy by forgiving us of our transgressions and sins. Unfortunately, if we fail to come to this point, God’s wrath remains and only an expectation of judgment and condemnation is left. If you have called on Jesus and are again stuck in the bonds of sin – call out for help to the Lord. He gives more grace. Thanks be to God – He gives more grace.
Heavenly Father, we surely need Your grace. When we called on Jesus, we knew we were lost. Since then, we have failed You in a million ways. But we know Your grace is greater than all our sins. Cleanse us anew with the precious and eternally purifying blood of our Lord. And we will endeavor to please You all of our days. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 18, 2019 23:51:39 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:7, 18 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2019 Sunday, 18 August 2019 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 James, having just quoted the proverb which says that God resists the proud but that He gives grace to the humble, now shows how to practically work that precept out. Starting out with, “Therefore,” is given to show this, and also to sum up the other precepts he stated, such as that the person who wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. These things lead naturally to the need for instruction concerning what to do in order to be pleasing to God. And so he says, “Therefore, submit to God.” The word conveys the idea of subjection. Vincent’s Word Studies says – “The verb means to place or arrange under; as resist (James 4:6) is to array against. God sets himself in array against the proud; therefore, array yourselves under God, that ye may withstand the devil.” One can see a connection to what Paul says in Ephesians 6:10, 11 here – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” And this is what James continues to convey. There is a war against the devil going on. Paul gives his insights into this, and James does so as well. He says, “Resist the devil.” This is standing against him and what he puts before us in this fallen world. Because he is working out his devices in this world, it explains why James said (as noted above) that friendship with the world is enmity with God. When we align ourselves with the world, we align ourselves with what the devil offers. In this, the believer is to make a public and conspicuous stand against what the devil offers, holding fast to the ground on which he should stand, which is the word of God and faith in Christ Jesus. In such a state of mind and with such firm conviction, James says of the devil that “he will flee from you.” This is what Jesus did in His times of being tempted by the devil. He stood on the word of God and in the glorification of His Father. He prevailed over the devil by resisting him and standing fast. The contrast between Adam and Christ is recorded in Scripture to give us examples that we are to learn from. We can allow our old Adamic nature to rule in us, or we can allow Christ’s nature to rule in us. Life application: By having a relationship with the world, we place ourselves in a position of enmity with God. But James gives us the remedy, which is to submit ourselves to God. One might think this applies to the general sense of looking up and praying to the unknown Creator as people of any faith would do – but the initial problem of sin isn’t dealt with by “religion.” Instead, the problem is dealt with by Jesus Christ. This verse must be taken in the Christian context. Buddhists, Muslims, etc. cannot bridge the divide by submission to a god that has failed to deal with the over-arching problem of sin. Interestingly, “Islam” means submission, but it isn’t submission that brings restoration. Instead, the devil is still in complete control of them because the divide hasn’t been crossed. Jesus – fully God and fully Man – can lay His hand on the Father and on each of us and restore felicity between the two. Once this is done, we need to continue to submit to God and resist the devil all our days. As we do so, the devil will be on the run. When covered by the precious blood of Christ and living in the power of the Holy Spirit, the devil has no way to lay hold on us. The great power of God in Christ causes him to “Run devil,,, ruuuuun” in the opposite direction. Forrest Gump couldn’t run any faster. If you have come to Christ, then you have the power and force needed to resist the devil. Rely on the Holy Spirit to lead you, protect you, and give you wisdom in dealing with the devil. On your own, you will only live in the flesh and at enmity with God. Heavenly Father, thank You so very much for the gift of Your Holy Spirit! Give us the wisdom to rely on Him and His power as we walk in this darkened world. May He protect us from the afflictions of the devil and carry us safely through our earthly walk until we come to that heavenly abode that we long to see – the place where Your glory dwells. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 19, 2019 23:32:31 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:8, 19 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019·5 MINUTES Monday, 19 August 2019 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 In the previous verse, James told his audience to “submit to God.” He now tells them to go further. Not only should they submit to Him, but they are to “Draw near” to Him. But, this is also tied in with his second statement of the previous verse, which was that they were to “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” One can see the contrast – Resist the devil / he will flee Draw near to God / He will draw near to you The thing is, one will actually result in the other. If one (assuming he is saved) resists the devil, he is drawing near to God. The morally bad will make an exit, and He who is morally good will draw near. Likewise, if one embraces the devil, God will – by default – move away from him. This obviously means in a relationship sense. God is omnipresent. It is not that God’s actual presence moves away, but the sense of a moral connection is lost. James then gives two thoughts on how one can accomplish these things. He first says, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners.” The idea here is similar to that which is presented by Isaiah as he opened his book – “When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:15-17 One can see how Isaiah takes a literal thing (that of washing the hands), and he makes a spiritual application (ending evil). He then provides examples of what good is. By doing the good, one resists the devil and draws himself near to the Lord. In this, the Lord naturally draws near to him. This is what James is referring to. Cleansing of the hands implies sinful lives need to be purged. He then continues with, “and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Here, as is seen throughout the Bible, the heart speaks of the mind of man. In purifying one’s heart, there is moving from that which is unreasonable and chaotic to that which is right and reasonable. The word translated as “purify” is one which speaks of ceremonial purification. For example, in John 11:55, it refers to those who want to purify themselves so that they could participate in the Passover. James is using this idea in a similar way. Moses, in Deuteronomy 10:16 told the people, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiffnecked no longer.” One cannot literally circumcise his heart. But in doing that which is right, and in accord with what physical circumcision was meant to imply, he would symbolically purify the heart. This is what James is conveying now. In this purifying of the heart, the people will cure their state of being “double-minded.” This is a word, dipsuchos, which is only seen here and previously in James 1:8. It is probably a word invented by James. HELPS Word Studies identifies such a person as being a “spiritual schizophrenic.” It is a person with two minds which waver back and forth because of the impure heart, meaning a mind which is not clear and willing to reason. Life application: Drawing near to God is a common Old Testament theme which is repeated several times in the New. Moses drew near to God at Mt. Sinai. God was said to be near the people Israel because of the covenant. The people were told to draw near to God in the Psalms, in Isaiah, and elsewhere. Towards the end of the Old Testament, we read – “She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord, She has not drawn near to her God.” Zephaniah 3:2 Will this also be said of you? James and other New Testament writers reach out to us and ask us – like the prophets of old – to draw near to God. But someday there will be no remedy. Those who fail to do so will receive their just due. However, if we are to draw near to Him now, James asks us to wash our hands and purify our hearts. And what is the benefit of this? It is seen in the psalms – “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3, 4 Let us not lift up our souls to idols and let us only speak what is true and right. May our actions cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Lord God, may our prayers be set before You as incense, and may the lifting up of our hands be as the evening sacrifice to You. Set a guard over the door of our lips and keep our hearts from being lifted up to idols. May our eyes be on You and may our souls be satisfied from Your hand alone. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 21, 2019 0:26:36 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:9, 20 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019·4 MINUTES Tuesday, 20 August 2019 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. James 4:9 It is likely that James had a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes on his mind – “A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:1-7 James is speaking to the “sinners” and the “double-minded” of the previous verse. Instead of rejoicing and shouting for joy, he tells them to, “Lament and mourn and weep!” The idea is similar to Jesus’ words from Matthew 5 as well. There, right at the beginning of the sermon on the mount, He says – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” Matthew 4:3, 4 Solomon and the Lord both understood that when one is filled with laughter and a spirit which is overflowing with the joys of life, he will not take time to consider the world around him in its proper perspective. There may be joy, but judgment lies ahead. There may be life and abundance, but death is the inevitable end of all men. A man filled with the things of the world will not take time to consider these deeper issues, but the man who weeps and mourns will. Therefore, continuing on, James says, “Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” The word James uses, which is translated as “gloom,” is found only here in the Bible. It signifies having one’s eyes downcast, indicating sorrow. One can see a state of true repentance over sin for the sinner, and a refocusing on what is godly and proper for the double-minded. Nobody with a right mind will stand over the coffin of a friend and say, “I’m glad I won’t end up there.” Rather, he is reminded of the mortality we all face, and he will (if wise) take it to heart. The sorrow which James is speaking about is not sorrow for the one in the box. Rather, he is referring to the sorrow a person feels as he considers his own fate, mourning over what he can do about his personal misdeeds in the presence of God. Life application: In Ecclesiastes, Solomon explains what James assumes his readers already know. In other words, James is writing to first-century Jews and reminding them of the wisdom of Ecclesiastes. They would have been very familiar with what Solomon was saying because Ecclesiastes was read openly every year during the Feast of Tabernacles. If you have not read Ecclesiastes before, take time to read it today. It will only take you a few minutes. It is an extremely beautiful book – full of wisdom. Ultimately, there will be everlasting joy for the redeemed of the Lord. But, in this present life, there are times when mourning is better than feasting, where displaying sorrow rather than laughter is right, and where weeping is more appropriate than mirth. Have discernment, and know when and how you are to display your emotions in order to be pleasing both to those around you and to the Lord who searches your heart. Lord, thank You for the wisdom found in the Bible. Help us to discern when to laugh and when to mourn, when to feast and when to fast. Give us hearts which mourn over our sin, and which rejoice in Your cleansing from it. May our actions bring you honor, and be a comfort to those around us. Let our lives reflect Your wisdom at all times. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 21, 2019 23:35:26 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:10, 21 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019·4 MINUTES Wednesday, 21 August 2019 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10 The thought here is found throughout Scripture. When one is prideful before the Lord (Genesis 3, for example), there is a fall. However, the cure for that comes from the words of Scripture from that point on. After Adam fell, he did humble himself. It is not explicitly stated as such, but it does say, “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20).The name Havah, or Eve, means “life.” The Lord told Adam that on the day that he ate of the fruit, he would die. He did. The spiritual connection to God, which is true life, died. But in the curse upon Adam and his wife, there was also a promise of restoration. Adam humbled himself through faith and believed, naming his wife “Life” as a sign of his belief. In this, the very next verse says, “And Jehovah Elohim made Adam and his wife coats of skin, and clothed them” (Darby). The Lord accepted Adam’s act of faith and covered him. The picture is that of the Lord covering Adam and his wife with a substitutionary atonement. An innocent life died in order for its skin to be used. It is a picture of the innocent Christ covering His people in His own sinlessness. From this point on, the idea of humbling oneself before the Lord is seen again and again. Jesus gave a beautiful picture of the difference between pride and humility in Luke 18 – “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14 Arrogance and self-righteousness is an abomination to the Lord. But humility before Him is something that He notes as commendable. As James says, “and He will lift you up.” In a state of humility, one will mourn over sin, have awed fear of God who can and will judge that sin, and will have a repentant attitude concerning his state. The Lord will look upon one in this condition and restore him, clothe him in His righteousness, and cover over the sin. Peter follows in the same line of thought as well – “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5 Life application: When we are confident in ourselves, we demonstrate an arrogance which cannot be overcome by heaven itself. The gap already exists between God and us because of our sin. Therefore, to boast in anything we have done, or think we can do, makes no sense. If we could bridge the gap, there would have been no need for the law, for the prophets, and especially for Jesus. But God who is rich in mercy is willing to reach down to us through Jesus and lift us up – if we will only allow Him. Stop trusting in your own goodness and look to the cross. The cross is what we deserve, but Jesus took it instead. What could you add to that? Humble yourselves and God Himself will lift you up. Lord God, because of Jesus, You have brought us together again. Instead of hell, You offer heaven. Instead of Your back, You turn to us Your face. Where we deserve a cross, You sent Jesus to take our place – and He willingly bore that burden. How can we trust in our own righteousness when it doesn’t exist? Instead, let us come and worship You, through Christ our Lord. In Him is found our righteousness. Hallelujah and Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 23, 2019 0:12:54 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:11, 22 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019·5 MINUTES Thursday, 22 August 2019 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. James 4:11 In James 2, he spoke of showing partiality, dishonoring others through a judgmental attitude, fulfilling the royal law, and etc. This same type of thought is seen again here. There is a standard which is given in the law (whatever law applies). However, by our judgments of others in regards to that law, we become judges of the law. In this case, there is the law of God. This will be made explicit in the next verse. Within the Bible, there have been various laws given by God. He gave a law to Adam. He gave a law to Noah. He gave a law through Moses, and etc. In Christ, a New Covenant is established. It is what comes through Christ which James is referring to. As there is a law, there is a Giver of that law. One precept in particular, that is understood within the law, is to love one another. This is what is on James’ mind. Jesus summed up the Law of Moses by saying – “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-39 Within the New Covenant, love continues to be a predominant theme. To ensure that this precept is held fast, and to ensure that we do not step over the boundaries of authority of the law, he now says, “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.” To speak evil of one another is not a means of demonstrating love. As he is addressing the brethren, this is a problem which is found within the body of believers, and it is something James determines to correct. It is a precept also found in Paul’s writings (Ephesians 4:31, for example), and by the hand of Peter as well (see 1 Peter 2:1). There should not be evil-speaking about one another because, as James says, “He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.” James has given the royal law in James 2:8, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” It is a precept which extends beyond the Law of Moses, and it is one which carries through to all times. But by speaking evil of a brother, one is not loving that person. Rather, he both speaks evil of him to his harm, and he speaks evil of the law. This is because the law has said to love the neighbor. By not doing so, that person is speaking evil of the law itself. Therefore, he “judges the law.” He is sitting as an arbiter of the very law that the Lawgiver has given. That is a most unhappy position to be in! To sum up the thought, and to finish his words, he then says, “But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” The Lord has given the law. We are under the law. But if we judge (a verb) the law, then we are not one who is doing the law. Rather, we have become a judge (a noun). As the Lord gave the law, and we are not doing the law, then we stand under the law’s judgment. At some point, we will face the Lord who gave the law, and we will be held accountable for having failed to do the law. In the Christian context, this does not mean a loss of salvation, but a judgment of reward and loss. And there can be no reward for actions which are outside of the law which has been given. Life application: Context is important when reading verses like this one from James, and also the one in Matthew 7:1, 2 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Quite often we may hear or see this verse quoted by people who are attempting to defend the inappropriate lifestyle they live – in other words, “Who are you to judge me, didn’t Jesus tell you not to do that?” However, just a few verses down in that same passage we are told to make judgments and right moral decisions. Inappropriate judgment comes in the form of continuously pointing the finger at others and finding fault when there is no sound basis for it. It is also found in failing to be loving in our attitude and actions towards others. Allowing someone to continue in sin is not loving. The law is written (whatever law that may be). When someone breaks the law, we know what the violation is and can make a sound decision concerning the offense. But when we sit as a judge of the law – speaking against one another without the weight of the law – then we sit in judgment of the law. For the New Covenant, it is the Lord who gave the law. Therefore, we have no right to sit in judgment on it. We can only apply it to ourselves and to others when a violation of it occurs. Be careful not to quote such verses out of context because by doing so, we actually violate the very verses we are quoting. To accuse someone who is properly handling the law of mishandling it, it is the same as sitting as a judge over that person’s correct application of it. Always check the context of a verse or you might wind up using it incorrectly. Lord Jesus, help us to rightly divide Your word, taking everything in its proper context. It is certain that when we misapply what You have given us, we ourselves then violate the very precepts we say that we are upholding. So Lord, give us wisdom when we live by and quote Your precious word. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 23, 2019 23:59:16 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:12, 23 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019· Friday, 23 August 2019 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12 The word “one” is in the emphatic position in the Greek. It states, “One is the Lawgiver Who is able to save and destroy.” The words remind the reader of Jesus’ words of Matthew 10:28 – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” At that time, Jesus didn’t get into a great theological discussion about the nature of the judgment which would result in such an action. He simply stated that God is to be feared and that He has the power to take action according to His judgment. However, it is obvious here that James is referring to Christ Jesus who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Paul says in Romans 2:16 that it is God who “will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.” He is the same Lord who gave forth the covenant at Sinai, and who then – through His incarnation – fulfilled that law and established the New Covenant in His blood. In the capacity as Lawgiver, it is He alone “who is able to save and to destroy.” As this is so, then James now makes evident the contrast to what he wrote in the previous verse. There he spoke of the one who judges the law. In doing so, that person “is not a doer of the law but a judge.” However, since “One is the Lawgiver,” then such a person has wrongfully stepped into a supposed position of authority. Because of this, James asks, “Who are you to judge another?” As Albert Barnes says of this – “There is nothing more decidedly condemned in the Scriptures than the habit of pronouncing a judgment on the motives and conduct of others. There is nothing in which we are more liable to err, or to indulge in wrong feelings; and there is nothing which God claims more for himself as his peculiar prerogative.” He is correct. We are not in the position to pronounce our self-determined judgments upon another. We do not set the standard. When we do, we usurp the right of the Lord who alone possesses that authority. Having said that, He has expressed the standard in His word. This is one purpose of Scripture. And, therefore, we are given the authority to make right judgments which are in accord with that word. This is painfully evident throughout the epistles as well. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 show this. James makes this evident in the final two verses of his epistle. John tells us to make right judgments in 2 John 1:10. These are just a few examples which call believers to judge according to the word which has been given. The Lawgiver has given His law; His people are to conduct their judgments in accord with that law. Life application: It is Jesus who is able to save and destroy. This is because He authored the law and then fulfilled the law. Therefore He is both qualified to judge infractions of the law and also to pardon infractions committed. Why? It is because He, after fulfilling the law – completely and perfectly – received the punishment of the law on our behalf. The cross, leading to His death, was just punishment for any infraction of the law. When we trust in Jesus Christ, we accept both His fulfillment of the law and the pardon offered through His substitutionary death (a precept allowed under the law). In other words, the punishment we deserve was also fulfilled by Him. America’s founding fathers understood the concept of both pardon and single trial for punishment of an offense, and laid them out in the Constitution – “The President … shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States…” “No person shall be… subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb…” We all have sinned; we all deserve death for our sins. Jesus fulfilled the law by not sinning and then was crucified under the law. However, death could not hold Him because death results from sin (of which He had none). Now, when we trust Him, we are free from the law because He received the trial and judgment in Himself on our behalf. We can now stand pardoned through His shed blood. What a bargain! It is hard to imagine, Lord Jesus, that You were willing to live the life we cannot live. You then gave Yourself as a sacrifice of atonement for our failings. How can we not accept Your pardon and receive Your mercy! You are our Lord and we will follow You all of our days. Glory to You, O Lord Jesus! Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 24, 2019 23:53:42 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:13, 24 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019·4 MINUTES Saturday, 24 August 2019 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; James 4:13 James is beginning a fourth thought in this one chapter. He started out by speaking about pride and how it affects our relationship with God in verses 1-6. He then went to the idea of submitting to God through humility in verses 7-10. This was given as a cure for the pride of the first section. After that, he wrote two verses concerning judging others. And now, he will write about arrogant boasting concerning our future when our future is wholly unknown to us. To open this thought, he begins with, “Come now.” It is a phrase given to grab the attention of the reader. Today, when we want to capture someone’s attention, we might say, “Check this out,” or “Get a load of this.” This is the same type of thought here. James is calling the mind to attention in order to make his new point. He then speaks of anyone to whom the interjection might apply by saying, “you who say.” Whoever the coming statement applies to at any time is who is being spoken of here. It is his way of saying, “Does this apply to you?” If it does, then that person needs to consider James’ words. And the thought that may apply to any given person is, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, and make a profit.” This sounds like a rather innocuous thing to say. It is certainly something that anyone might say at any time about any matter – “Next year, we will take a trip to Israel.” “I retire in three more years, and then I will start a new career.” “I will be attending my daughter’s graduation in June.” James is asking us to reflect on this type of thought so that he can correct our boastful attitude. He will begin to explain what he means in the next verse. As a side note, the word translated as “buy and sell” is emporeuomai. It is used only here and 1 Peter 2:3. It is the root of our modern word “emporium,” and it especially means “to trade.” If you have not read James before, what part of the statement do you think he is calling attention to? Is it the time reference? Is it the idea of traveling? Or, is it one (or all) of the three desired actions of 1) spending a year at the city, 2) buying and selling, or 3) making a profit? Life application: Until the full idea of what James is referring to is revealed, let us simply remember that business and making money is part of our lives. From the very fall of man, the toil of labor to sustain ourselves has been something intended for man to do – “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:17-19 Therefore, to sit around idly accepting handouts, when there is gainful work to be had, is actually a violation of our intended purpose. There are times when work can’t be found or when man is physically limited, but this is the exception and not the norm. Almost everyone can be productive and there is always something to accomplish if one wants to put his foot forward and accept responsibility. As the Bible says, it is the sluggard who complains that there is a lion in the streets (meaning the slothful man will find ANY reason to stay inside and watch TV rather than getting out and working). If you are not producing according to your abilities (other than such reasons as a poor economy, ill-health, etc.), then you are bringing discredit upon yourself. Have respect for yourself – there is no lion in the street. Heavenly Father, please give each of us the ability, the desire, and the opportunities to be productive. May we not whittle away our years doing nothing. Instead, may our works be such that they bring You great glory. And as we are blessed to be productive, remind us to turn and cheerfully give a portion back to You – in gratitude for what You have done for us. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 25, 2019 23:34:35 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:14, 25 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2019·5 MINUTES Sunday, 25 August 2019 ...whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14 James now builds upon what he had just said. The readers (whoever they may be) were presumptuous and said, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.” The words were presumptuous and boastful because they made a claim upon a matter as if it had already been settled, but which they had no right to the claim in the first place. As James tells them, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.” Our next breath, much less what will happen later in the day or on the next day, is not guaranteed. To assume that we have control over time is to put ourselves in the place of God, who alone knows the future. What He is fully aware of is completely unknown to us. This is a concept that Solomon spoke of centuries before – “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1 A day may bring an earthquake. It may bring forth a heart attack. It may bring forth a car crash or a snake bite. We have no idea what lies ahead of us, and so to lay claim to “tomorrow,” when we are still unsure about “today,” is the height of arrogance. James then asks his reader to consider this – “For what is your life?” The question is a broad one that could be answered in a million ways, but he has already set the parameters for the expected answer. He is speaking of time, and so the answer to the question should likewise be dealing with time, particularly the present. One could ask, “What is your life at this very moment in time?” Again, he is not asking about the condition or quality of life at this moment of time, but rather of its relation to the future. And so the question could then be further refined as, “Is the beating of your heart now (signifying life which exists) any determining factor of it still being beating in a day, or in an hour, or in one minute?” Again, Solomon reflected on this same type of thought in the book of Ecclesiastes – “For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 6:12 Man doesn’t know what the state of his existence will be from moment to moment, and he certainly can’t tell what will happen after him, when his existence ends. And that could be at any moment. A shadow passes as the sun moves, and the sun constantly moves. Further, a shadow can also move as a body moves in relation to the sun. And some bodies move very quickly. Therefore, a shadow can come and go in a heartbeat. Because of this, James says something akin to what Solomon said with the words, “It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” The verbs are present participles. Young’s translates them, “for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing.” There is no set timeframe for the event. It happens and then it ends as it is happening. One can think of Solomon’s words which appear right at the opening of the book of Ecclesiastes – havel havelim ha’kol havel – “Vapor of vapors the all is vapor.” One can walk outside on a cold morning and see his breath. It is a vapor which appears, and within a short moment, the vapor disappears. This is what Solomon says everything is, and this is what James says our life (which is our personal “everything”) is. It is appearing and it is vanishing. Solomon’s admonition for this condition is found in Ecclesiastes 12. Jesus gives a thought concerning the matter in Luke 12:13-21. Take time to read those passages today. Life application: James says our life is like a mist. It comes and it is gone before our eyes. Job says – “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. 2 He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” Job 14:1, 2 The Bible speaks of our life as fragile and temporary many, many times. Because of this, it implores us to seek God while we can. More often than not, those who face death will try to find religion quickly. The problem is that we may not find the truth in the religion we seek. In such desperation our minds become over-taxed with the stress of the moment and we may grab onto a faith which is misdirected. However, God has given us a wonderful plan of redemption, and it is available to all people. To call on God in the wrong way is to fail to call on God at all, so we need to pursue His offering now, while our heads and thoughts are clear. Because your life is so very temporary, make the best of your time in the present by seeking after God and calling on the Lord Jesus for your salvation. As Paul states as clearly as possible – “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 27, 2019 0:43:21 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:15, 26 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019 Monday, 26 August 2019 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” James 4:15 James just spoke of the life of man being a mere vapor which appears for a short time and then it fades away. Because of this, it is boastful to claim that we will do something or another in the future. Now he instructs us on how we should state any future decision or goal, beginning with, “Instead you ought to say.” This is set in contrast to the words of verse 13 – “Come now, you who say...” “Instead you ought to say...” Those in verse 13 proceeded to speak boastfully about what they would do. In fact, however, they didn’t know if they would be taking their next breath. James corrects this by showing that we should approach the future with humility by saying, “If the Lord wills.” Other than the moment in which we presently exist, we have no idea what will transpire next. The ground could quake under us and the roof could then fall on us – life over. The future is known only to God, and we are to leave that unknown sea of time up to His will. In invoking His will, we can then say, “we shall live and do this or that.” Both life, and what is done with that life, are up to His allowances. However, this is not a fatalistic approach to the future by any stretch of the imagination. Two things are occurring here – 1) If the Lord wills, we shall live (solely a decision of the Lord). 2) If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that (based on the granting of the first statement that we shall live, we will then act with freedom to choose what we will do). The concept of free will in man is seen throughout Scripture, and it is revealed even in our acknowledging His sovereignty over the future. The Bible does not portray the fatalistic view of Islam or various other religions. Nor does it portray the autocratic rule of God – even in salvation – which is held to by Calvinism. Instead, it reveals that God is wholly sovereign over all things, and yet He has factored in our free will desires and actions. This is seen for example in Paul’s words, such as in 1 Corinthians 4:19 – “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.” Paul freely chooses to come to those in Corinth, and yet He understands that the Lord may not will him to do so. There is a synergism which is being displayed in the life of man who works within the confines of God’s overall sovereignty. Life application: If you are ever talking with someone about future plans like traveling, starting a business, etc., and that person says, “I’ll be doing that, the Lord willing,” you can know that they are obeying this particular verse of the Bible. Instead of speaking as if the plans are certain, this individual is willing to acknowledge that God is sovereign and our decisions and hopes are based solely on His allowance of them coming to completion. This attitude does several things – 1) It rightly gives credit to the Lord for achievements in our life. 2) It removes from us an aspect of the stain of failure should our plans not come to fruition. 3) It keeps us living in the Spirit because we are ever-conscious of His guiding power in all matters. As God allows or restrains the intentions of the wicked, how can we expect to land safely at the next airport without the Lord’s protection? As God is in control of the natural forces, how can we expect to climb a mountain during an earthquake? As God is in control of our very heartbeat and breath, how can we make plans to see our children’s marriage apart from His allowance of it? As God likewise controls the lives of others, how can we expect even one more visit from our father or mother? Every moment is precious and every moment is controlled completely by Him. Therefore, whatever we plan, it should be with the understanding that it will only come about if the Lord allows it to occur. Lord, forgive us for looking to the future and thinking that we have any control over it. We can only hope to have what we wish for, but in the end we must rely on Your open hand to provide it. Please remind us to be sure to acknowledge Your sovereign hand over all things when we speak of our plans for the future. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 28, 2019 0:50:41 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:16, 27 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 Tuesday, 27 August 2019 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.James 4:16 James is still speaking of the same subject which goes back to verse 13. It is the boasting which arises out of the assumption that we have the future in control, and that we can say, “Today or tomorrow we will do this and that.” Without including the Lord in the matter, we are boasting of possessing that to which we have no right to claim. As he noted in the previous verse, we should say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” However, we fail to do this. In our failure, he says, “But now you boast in your arrogance.” We have, in fact, attempted to lay hold of that which belongs to the Lord alone. It is boastful, and it is arrogant. This is the final use of the word translated as “boastful” in the New Testament. It is a noun which has been used by Paul 10 times. It is variously translated as boasting, confidence, glorying, and rejoicing. It can be positive (about God’s grace) or negative (about self) based on the context. Here, it is obviously a negative boast. The word translated as “arrogance” is found only here and in 1 John 2:16. It properly means “a vagabond (‘quack’), making empty boasts about having ‘cures’ to rid people of all their ills (even by producing ‘wonders,’ etc.)” (HELPS Word Studies). Such quackery attempts to set a person in a favorable light concerning matters of which he has no ability or authority. In this state, James says that “All such boasting is evil.” This is so because it is based on a completely unfounded view of who we are as individuals. We are the created. We are the dependent. We are the unknowing. And yet, we speak in an evil way – as if we are in the place of God – grabbing onto a future which is wholly and solely at His authority. A single moment may destroy our hope of any future at all, and we are to therefore place our lives – from moment to moment – under the caring guidance of God. We are to submit ourselves to His unfurling of the sails which take us from the shores of the present into the endless expanse of the future which lies before us. Life application: Why is boasting or bragging evil? Think it through and you will see. If a woman is exceptionally lovely, wasn’t it a gift of her birth? What if she highlights herself to look beautiful – then isn’t this temporary and false? If someone is a natural musician, how can he brag about what he was born with? Suppose he worked hard to become a musician because he lacked natural talent – where did the time, circumstance, and drive to learn the skill come from? If you are born into a wealthy family, what did you do to deserve it? But what if you became wealthy by playing the lottery – wasn’t this providence and beyond yourself? Or, what if you worked hard and made great wealth? Again, where did the ability, time, and circumstance come from to allow you to become rich? It doesn’t matter what the issue, what the circumstance, or what the possession, it all ultimately came from one Source – the Creator. Likewise, each breath we take is from His goodness to us. Every heartbeat is under His control. If you don’t believe this, then go back and watch videos of the 911 attack, or click on any of a host of YouTube videos that caught death in the act. None of those people expected what was coming and their plans for the next moment were in vain. How much more tenuous are our long-term plans! Each moment is precious and every sunrise is a gift. Don’t squander your life pursuing the wind, but instead consider Solomon’s sound advice – “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” From this, Solomon goes on to point out the many ways death arrives. Now is the time of God’s favor; remember Him now. Forgive us O Lord for taking credit for the blessings You have provided. Forgive us also for boasting about a future which is within Your control alone. Give each of us a sound and wise attitude toward those things which You have provided. May we ever acknowledge that all things stem from You, belong to You, and are at Your disposal. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 28, 2019 23:02:21 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 4:17, 28 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019 Wednesday, 28 August 2019 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 The words here are not unlike those of Paul in Romans 14:23 – “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Doubting, faith, to know – these things are internal, and yet we are shown that we are held accountable for doubting when we do not eat in faith. And faith is something that must be read from the heart. Likewise, knowing to do good may be something that we alone know about, and yet if we do not act on that good thing that we are aware of, we sin. James begins with, “Therefore.” He is summing up his thoughts concerning the future. The fact is that none of us knows what the future holds except in general brushstrokes of how God has revealed it in Scripture, or as can be logically deduced based on past experience. But ultimately, the future, and our personal interaction with it, is an impenetrable wall. We are bound to the present. Because of this, James says, “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” The meaning – in the context of making plans – is that we must submit our future actions to the will of the Lord. This is especially so when we interact with others. If we speak of the future as our own possession, we sin. We have laid hold to that which belongs to the Lord alone. Therefore, we are to include the Lord’s will in our future claims, subordinating what we say to His will. This statement of James, however, is a general statement as well. It is one which carries truth in it all by itself. When we fail to perform a duty that we know is right, it is no less sinful than committing a known sin. In both, we commit an offense. Jesus speaks of this in Luke 12. In verse 47, He says, “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” When evil will occur because of our inaction, we cannot say, “I didn’t act and therefore I am safe.” Either way, our conduct is an inconsistency in the eyes of God which then results in sin. Life application: Sin can be divided up in multiple ways, but the three main categories of all sin are: Sins of commission Sins of omission Sins of the mind We often focus on sins of commission – things that we actively do which are wrong, like stealing, adultery, lying, etc. These make for great sermons and are what the law is mostly based on. The majority of The Ten Commandments are things we are told not to do. Do not lie, for example. When we do, we commit a sin of commission. Sins of the mind are good to use when witnessing to others – “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27, 28 Our thoughts reveal our corrupt nature and show us how far we really are from holiness. Even if we don’t actually commit adultery or murder, our intent condemns us. The commandment “Do not covet” falls under this category. The third type of sin, which is that of omission, is no less wrong and covers a vast part of the sin in our lives. We know we should do something – that it is morally right to do it – and yet we make excuses to avoid doing it. James says that when this occurs, it is sin. What does all this tell us? It reveals to us that we really, really need Jesus. We may not have committed adultery, but we sure have thought about it. We may not have stolen, but we failed to stop the person accompanying us when they stole. Such sins separate us from God and only Jesus can restore us. Praise the Lord for Jesus! Lord, surely we admit that we have committed every type of sin imaginable. We have done that which we ought not to have done. We have left undone those things we should have done. We have also intended evil in our hearts towards others. Yes, all of this is sin and we can only thank You and praise You for Your great mercy revealed in Jesus. It is He alone who cleanses us from all unrighteousness Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 29, 2019 23:35:08 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:1, 29 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 Thursday, 29 August 2019 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! James 5:1 James now speaks in a manner similar to verse 4:13. There he said, “Come now, you who say...” Here he begins with, “Come now, you rich.” This is his way of calling to attention an error in thinking that needs to be corrected. In 4:13, it was to the boastful. Here, it is to the rich who trust that their riches mean they are in God’s favor, and/or that their riches will save them in the day of disaster. Both are decidedly errors in thinking. To show how true this is, he will continue with this thought until verse 5:6. For those who are rich, he says, “weep and howl.” This is similar to what he has already said in verse 4:9, “Lament and mourn and weep!” James is showing that haughtiness in the Lord’s presence is unacceptable. As he later said, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” This is the same thought process that he will continue with here. In this verse, the Greek more precisely reads, “weep, howling...” The thought is active and alive. The word translated as “weep” is the standard and common word signifying sobbing, or wailing aloud. However, the word for “howl” is used only here in Scripture, ololuzó. It is an onomatopoetic expression (the sound resembles what it signifies) which means to cry out audibly in order to express feelings which are too intense for mere words. One can think of the mid-eastern sound still made by Arabs today as they wail in agony or shriek for joy – olololololololo (or, ulululululululu). James tells the rich to sob out and howl in this way because of “your miseries that are coming upon you!” For those who trust in riches, their end will be misery. This is a thought which echoes the words of the prophets. For example, Isaiah says of the coming judgment of Babylon – “Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.” Isiah 13:6 Ezekiel shows the folly of believing there is value in being wealthy when the judgment of the Lord comes – “They will throw their silver into the streets, And their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them In the day of the wrath of the Lord; They will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.” Ezekiel 7:19 Such imagery is found in numerous places in Scripture. This is now what James also begins to explain to those who are wealthy in the world, but who have not taken their state before the Lord into consideration. Life application: One of the great mistakes of our society, and one from which Christians are not immune, is to make assumptions based on wealth: 1) God favors me because I’m rich. 2) I am important because I’m rich. 3) My wealth will save me during times of crisis. On today’s TV, there are hosts of companies and commercials which speak of the security of gold. But when the ball drops and the economy collapses, that gold will be useless – just as it was in Ezekiel’s time. What is the time of the Lord’s wrath? Read the terrifying words of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. Such was the case for the Lord’s wrath upon Israel, and such will be the case on a worldwide scale someday. They are words so appalling that despite the gruesome horror of movies we may sit and watch, those shows can’t even compare to the reality of God’s wrath – “The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and sensitivity, will refuse to the husband of her bosom, and to her son and her daughter, 57 her placenta which comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of everything in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates.” Deuteronomy 28:56, 57 Horror lies ahead for those who fail to come to Christ and to be healed from their lives of sin. If you are trusting in wealth, gold and silver, or fancy objects, then your trust is in vain. Weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Instead, be secure in the joyous covering of Christ and in the hope of the rapture of the saints. Those left behind will face unimaginable sorrow. Lord Jesus, may our souls delight in You alone. May our very lives be dedicated to You and Your service. And Lord, may our eyes never stray from Your glory to any lesser object – no, not even gold or gems. All wealth is perishing, and a trust in riches is vanity. But for those who place their trust in You, there is safety and life. Thank You for the hope of life that we possess because of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 30, 2019 23:35:13 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:2, 30 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019 Friday, 30 August 2019 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. James 5:2 In the previous verse, James spoke of the miseries coming upon the rich. Here, he begins to describe what that entails, beginning with, “Your riches are corrupted.” The word sépó, translated as “corrupted,” is found only here in the New Testament. One can see a hint of the modern word “septic” in it. It signifies “to putrefy.” In it, there is a process of rotting and its associated negative happenings – smell, touch, taste, and sight are each brought into the equation. The reason for this is that the wealth of the rich in ancient times did not only consist of metals and gems, but also of the storing up of food, wine, oil, garments, and etc. Jesus spoke of this type of amassed wealth in Luke 12 – “‘“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’” Luke 12:`6-19 Grains and the like, when they get damp, will begin to putrefy. Wine begins to turn to vinegar when its storage is improperly affected. Solomon speaks of the ruining of oil in Ecclesiastes 10:1 – “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.” As the rot – whatever type it might be – sets in, the taste, smell, feel, and sight of the once-valuable commodity is turned to corruption. It is good for nothing. James also says, “and your garments are moth-eaten.” Today, this doesn’t really bother us as much as it did even a short time ago. Throughout history, people generally had very few garments. So important was the single garment of many individuals, that the Lord spoke out this in the Exodus 22:26, 27 – “If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. 27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.” The wealthy would have more garments, and of varying qualities and materials. However, they needed to be carefully stored to avoid being destroyed. These would be treated as precious commodities which could be traded or sold, and thus they were their own type of wealth. James shows that such wealth is transitory and can come to an end very quickly. Such sources of wealth that the rich man trusted in are actually not trustworthy at all. Jesus spoke of exactly this, and where true wealth is – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 Life application: In this verse, and in the verses to come, James really goes on the attack against worldly wealth. The very thing most people treasure above all else is the thing that is often most fleeting. People who once possessed millions of dollars are found homeless and eating out of dumpsters. Wealthy traders have lost everything in a single afternoon leading them to jump out of their high-rise apartments rather than face poverty. Money simply cannot be relied on as a good indicator of what our status will be in 24 hours. In the past, to flaunt flashy outfits was similar to flaunting lots of money. It showed an arrogance which, unfortunately, hasn’t changed even today. Instead, we put value in labels and designers. To wear something by a noted designer often leads to feelings of superiority over others. But James states that this type of attitude is shallow and reflects poor priorities. Instead of trusting in money or fancy clothing, let us trust wholeheartedly in the Lord – the Everlasting God. Heavenly Father, we need forgiveness for our times of trusting in wealth, cars, clothing, or any other thing which is so temporary and uncertain. Give us wisdom to use these things without loving them; to enjoy them without clinging to them; and to trust in no earthly thing, but rather in You alone. This we ask that You will be glorified and that we will be found faultless in Your eyes. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 1, 2019 0:43:56 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:3, 31 August 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019 Saturday, 31 August 2019 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. James 5:3 James continues with the thought from the previous verse, starting with, “Your gold and silver are corroded.” The word translated as “corroded” is found only here in the Bible. It comes from a root, ios, meaning either rust or poison. That word, ios, is used in the next clause and is translated as “corrosion.” That, in turn, comes from a word which signifies “to send.” A viper will send forth poison (as is the idea in both Romans 3:13 and James 3:8 where the same word is used as in this verse). The gold and silver will wear, sending away their mass. This is important to understand because gold neither rusts nor tarnishes. Therefore, saying “worn away,” or “corroded,” rather than “rust” is appropriate. The idea is that gold and silver may have value, but to trust in them is a fool’s choice. They will wear away, they can be stolen, they can be lost, etc. In the end, they cannot save a person from his final day of reckoning. Instead, James says that “their corrosion will be a witness against you.” The intent of these words is that whatever is left of the gold and silver, if anything, will be insufficient to save the soul of the man. Their properties, which are wearing away, means that they are earthly – even if precious by earthly standards. The fool will hope in that which is created; the wise will hope in the Creator. Throughout Scripture this is seen. When the people rebelled against the Lord and made a golden calf, Moses says, “Then I took your sin, the calf which you had made, and burned it with fire and crushed it and ground it very small, until it was as fine as dust; and I threw its dust into the brook that descended from the mountain” (Deuteronomy 9:21). In Exodus, it then says that he then made the people drink of the water. In Joshua, Achan, sinned against the Lord by taking gold and silver during the battle of Jericho. It stood as a witness against him, and it cost him his life. He, his family, and all of his possessions – along with the gold and silver – were stoned and then burned. Following the progression of these and other such incidents in Scripture shows that placing one’s trust in silver or gold is unwise. Such treasure “will eat your flesh like fire.” This is exactly what happened to Achan, and it is a type and picture of what will happen to all who so trust in earthly riches. In the final judgment, the gold and silver they thought could save will be shown to be a false hope. For them, it will be an eternal swim in the Lake of Fire. For those who are saved and still cling to such things, their judgment at the Bema Seat of Christ will be one of loss and not reward. James finishes with, “You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” The age of grace has come, and that grace is found in Jesus Christ. He is the only true source of hope, and yet people in these last days (meaning since His resurrection) continue going about pursuing worldly wealth to the exclusion of a relationship with God through Him. This is a false hope indeed. There is nothing wrong with earning wealth, and the proverbs instruct the wise to save for their children’s children. But this is for use in this temporary world, not for salvation in the next. There is an eternal difference between the two. Life application: Imagine the final moments of the victims of the volcano at Pompeii. The volcano exploded and the fire and ash came at the people like a freight train. The wealthy along with the poor were snuffed out within a few seconds. That moment in time is recorded for the ages – people grasping their children; people dying in their rooms; people holding onto… their gold. The last moments of many people’s lives are spent grasping for something they simply cannot take with them. It is certainly the case that if some had not tried to hold on to their money they may have escaped with their lives. But, as Forrest Gump correctly put it, “Stupid is as stupid does.” People trust in wealth, they boast about wealth, and they die because of their wealth. In the end, it did them no good at all – a few moments of history spent in leisure ended in futility. Solomon speaks about the life of the laborer and the life of the rich. Really, who has it better? The man who sleeps well, even if a little hungry, or the man who can’t sleep though he is filled with cake and ice cream? “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. 13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.” Ecclesiastes 5:12, 13 Wealth, fancy living, gold, silver, flashy cars, and a life of leisure will testify against us when it is our hope. There is nothing wrong with wealth and abundance as long as it is kept in proper perspective. But when it consumes our lives it becomes sin to us. Let us be careful where we put our hopes, and about what we are reaching for as we head into eternity. Where is your anchor at on the day of your death? Let it be in Christ Jesus alone. Lord, we thank You for the wonderful abundance You have given us in this life. We are grateful for the things You have blessed us with. But Lord, may these things never take our hearts and eyes away from You. Help us to keep our priorities straight. When we reach out for the last time, may our hands reach out for You. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 2, 2019 0:03:30 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:4, 1 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 Sunday, 1 September 2019 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. James 5:4 James, still speaking to the rich, now directs his words to their ill-treatment of others, beginning with those who are in their employ. They obviously treat their workers unfairly as is evidenced beginning with the words, “Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields.” These are people within the employ of the rich. The word “wages” implies one who is hired, not a slave. An agreement for payment for a certain type or amount of work has been made. In this case, it is for those who mow. The word is found only here in Scripture, amaó. It means, to mow or reap. Next, the word translated as “fields” is not the usual one. It is a common word, but it usually refers to a country. In this sense, it is a larger area than a normal field. It is only used two other times in this fashion. One of those two times, it also speaks of the fields of a rich man – “Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.’” Luke 12:16 James notes that the rich man has large swaths of land and he has hired laborers out to tend to them. However, referring to the wages he owes, James says, “which you have kept back by fraud.” The word used signifies to defraud another. The rich man may have changed the conditions which had originally been agreed upon, he may have claimed payment was made when it wasn’t, he may have claimed the job wasn’t performed as required even when it was, or he may have simply withheld payment because he figured he could get away with it. Whatever the reason, the laborer has been denied his rightfully due wages. James says that these wages “cry out.” The word is krazó. It is an onomatopoetic expression where a natural sound which is heard reflects the sound of the word itself. It is derived from the raven’s cry which pierces the air, and thus it signifies a loud shriek which uses inarticulate sounds of deeply-affected emotions. The wages themselves are personified as they cry out to heaven for justice. James then says that “the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” A different word for “cries” is seen only here in the Bible, boé. Again, it is an onomatopoetic expression. It signifies visceral sounds of concentrated exclamations. The cries of the workers are a heartfelt and expressive petition for relief. They are so pained that the Lord of Sabaoth becomes attentive to them. This is a title for the Lord found only here and in Romans 9:29. In Romans, Paul is citing the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Here, James simply uses the word without citation. The title “Sabaoth” is derived from the Hebrew word tsaba, meaning war, warfare, or army. In this form then, it signifies “the Lord of Hosts.” He is the Commander of the armies of heaven, and his ears have heard what the rich man has done. Can anyone imagine He will shut his hearing to such cries? Life application: James lived in a time when almost all work was physical, and a large percentage of that was agrarian. In fact, throughout its pages, the Bible deals with agricultural themes to make spiritual applications. When Jesus speaks of the wheat harvest, He is referring to the harvest of human souls prepared for the kingdom. When we read of the grape harvest, it is referring to God’s wrath being poured out on His enemies as He stomps them in His fury. This verse in James is not necessarily spiritual in nature, and we need to be careful not to over-spiritualize every verse. Rather, James is following along in the same line he has spoken of for the past few verses – greed. Instead of paying the workers their wages, the wealthy were holding onto their money longer than necessary. Perhaps they were saying to the workers, “I’ll pay you when you finish the job.” However, just like today, the common people relied on having their pay immediately. To withhold the day’s wages was to deprive them of their evening meal. Imagine if your boss originally promised to give you a paycheck each Friday. Later, however, he arbitrarily changed that to bi-weekly. At the end of the second week, he comes again and says, “I’m going to give you one big check at the end of the month.” You would rightfully be very upset as you agreed to work for a weekly paycheck. James says that conducting affairs in such a manner is sin. If you are in a position of handling other people’s pay, make sure you deal fairly with them, lest you be found a sinner as well. Though under the Law of Moses, the following words reflect a precept which should be remembered by all – “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates. 15 Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the Lord, and it be sin to you.” Deuteronomy 24:14, 15 Heavenly Father, it is wonderful to read Your word and to see how tenderly You care for Your people. Give us hearts to care for others even as You do, and keep us from the sin of greed. May we never act deceitfully toward others over money, and may we especially be generous to share Your word with others – Your precious word of life. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 3, 2019 0:12:17 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:5, 2 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2019·4 MINUTES Monday, 2 September 2019 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. James 5:5 The thought continues from the previous verses. James has been addressing the rich, condemning them for their abusive lifestyles. After mentioning how the rich man harms others, he now turns to how they treat themselves, beginning with, “You have lived on the earth in pleasure.” Here is a word found only this once in Scripture. It signifies living in a self-indulgent manner. As HELPS Word Studies describes it – “‘Dainty living’ in NT times included going to the public baths (‘wash houses’), typically decked out with ornate furnishings (e.g. decorated baths made of marble, etc.) They eventually became huge recreation centers with an adjoining gymnasium and library.” So, these rich were withholding the wages of their laborers (see previous verse), and they instead head to the public bathhouses to relax. It is a truly criminal act against those in their employ – stealing their labors so that they can find “pleasure and luxury.” The word translated as “luxury” is also a rare word, being seen only here and in 1 Timothy 5:6. It gives the idea of indulging in unneeded surplus. James Strong describes it as being voluptuous. In this uncaring, self-indulgent, and wanton lifestyle, James says to the rich that “you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” The idea here of fattening one’s heart is that of fattening oneself. The heart stands for the person – his reason, intellect, and mind. Here is this person, set on self-indulgence, who has become either – 1) fat from the life he lives and who is ripe for being slaughtered like an animal, or 2) fat from acting as one would in the day of slaughter. When an animal is slaughtered there is great feasting for those who participate in the meal. If the latter, which is not unlikely, it means that the laborer – whose wages were withheld – was treated as a sacrificial animal. He was slaughtered by the withholding of his wages, and the rich then lives off his life-blood, pictured by the wages which were needed to sustain him. Either way, the imagery is one of over-indulgence, greed, and an uncaring attitude for anything beyond immediate self-absorption. Life application: James reached back to the Song of Moses for the thought he presents in this verse – “But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” Deuteronomy 32:15 James is writing to the first-century Jewish community and reminding them of the fulfillment of what was prophesied by Moses. Don’t miss the significance of the greater picture though. Just as the Jewish people had become well-fed and fat, and just as they had kicked, so have the nations that once followed the Lord. As prosperity comes, so along with it come ease and a dulling of the senses concerning the things of God. So it is in the world today. As prosperity, luxury, and self-indulgence have become a way of life, in equal measure have come immorality, turning from the truth of the Bible, and a more liberal approach to life, politics, friendships, etc. Hard work is no longer rewarded, but instead is taxed to feed the lazy. National feelings of devotion are replaced with a desire to burn the flag and complain about even the thought of defending against aggression. Murderers are given light sentences and abortionists are given honors and accolades. Likewise, preachers water down the truth of Scripture and breathe out easy messages of prosperity and comfort. Surely we have fattened ourselves in the day of slaughter. We must repent and turn back to God or we will be consumed in our unrighteousness. Take time today to pray for repentance and revival in your land. Heavenly Father, what Your word proclaims is true – that which has been will be again. Just as Israel grew fat and kicked, so have the nations which once proclaimed Your message. Likewise, denominations that once held to the truth of the Bible now dismiss it as myth. Turn our hearts back to You before Your great and awesome Day of Judgment arrives. Help us to be faithful in a world of wickedness and turmoil Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 3, 2019 23:26:55 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:6, 3 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019·4 MINUTES Tuesday, 3 September 2019 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. James 5:6 James is still speaking to the rich of verse 1. He has rightfully pointed out the failings which the rich are commonly guilty of. What he says is a general commentary on the state of those who are rich and who use their wealth without taking their position before God into consideration. As has been seen, such people go from bad to worse in their actions, and in their treatment of others. He now goes so far as to say, “You have condemned.” The Greek of these words is a single compound verb which signifies, “to pass sentence upon.” It is an aorist verb, signifying something like, “You are accustomed to condemning the just.” It is as if the rich were a judge who had judged the poor. What is understood is that the judgment is based upon his wealth alone. There is no true basis for the condemnation except an exalted feeling of personal worth. From there, James continues with, “you have murdered the just.” Here, “the just” is in the singular. It is speaking of an individual. It is debated who is being referred to. Some think he is referring to the crucifixion of Christ. As it is the highest example of one who is just being murdered, it is the example which can be applied universally to all such cases. In essence, “You (whoever ‘you’ might be) have murdered Christ through your actions.” Others suppose that it is speaking of any just man who is improperly condemned and murdered. The singular standing for the whole. Or, it could specifically be referring to the laborers of verse 4. The rich man condemned him, as if in a trial and in withholding his wages, he has murdered him. If so, the singular again stands for the whole. Any rich man who has so condemned and murdered his laborers is being referred to. No matter which, the principle is clearly understood. There is the guilt of blood because the rich has unlawfully sat as a judge, pronounced sentence, and deprived a just man of his life. And this is all the more poignant because, says James, “he does not resist you.” The very fact that the man is termed “just” shows that he has a legitimate right to resist his treatment, and yet he does not. Christ did not resist His accusers, though he was without fault. The just laborer who has earned his pay may ask for it, but when he doesn’t receive it, he doesn’t come after the rich with murderous intent. Instead, he cries out in his misery (verse 4). There is no resistance. Likewise, there is no fear on the part of the rich, and yet they take action to silence the man who has done rightly so that they can continue to oppress whoever stands in the way of their obtaining more. Life application: It is easy for us to look at the oppressors of the world and judge them for their actions, but in the end, don’t the words of James’ also point back to us? Each of us has participated in the crucifixion of Christ. It is our sin, our greed, and our wayward lives which necessitated His cross. In the movie The Passion of the Christ, there is a short clip of a Roman soldier’s hand bringing the hammer down on the nail which was piercing Jesus’ hand. During the shooting of the film, Mel Gibson came forward, grabbed the hammer, and the shot was filmed with his hand being portrayed as the Roman soldier’s hand. He said that his life made him a participant in the death of Jesus. This was his way of acknowledging that. As troubling as it may seem, we have condemned and murdered the just and innocent One – Jesus our Lord. We should contemplate the sin in our lives which brought about such a terrible demonstration of its penalty. Likewise, we should look with gratitude to our Heavenly Father who loved us enough to offer His Son in our place. Jesus took our stripes, our mocking, and our cross. And after the turmoil of His soul, He saw the light of life – having prevailed over death. It is with grateful hearts that we can anticipate freedom from the bonds of death as well. The murdered innocent One has prevailed. Lord God, what are we that You saw it fit to send Christ Jesus to die for us? How can such love exist? Thank You for Christ Jesus our Lord who has brought us back to You. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 4, 2019 23:11:11 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:7, 4 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 Wednesday, 4 September 2019 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7 The word “Therefore” which begins this verse is given to sum up the things described in the previous section. In essence, “Since these things are this way...” From there James says, “be patient.” The word signifies longsuffering. It is the type of patience which will only express itself in anger as the Lord directs, in a logical and reasonable way. It never responds in a quick-tempered, emotional way. Vincent’s Word Studies, citing earlier scholars says it is – “...as a tumultuous welling up of the whole spirit; a mighty emotion which seizes and moves the whole inner man. Hence the restraint implied ... is most correctly expressed by long-suffering, which is its usual rendering in the New Testament. It is a patient holding out under trial; a long-protracted restraint of the soul from yielding to passion, especially the passion of anger.” With this type of attitude, James then says, “brethren.” The reason is two-fold. First, he is addressing believers, and secondly, he is contrasting them to those who would oppose them from the previous six verses. He then tells his readers how long they should be patient. It is “until the coming of the Lord.” What this means is that as long as we walk in this life, and until this life ends with the Lord coming to His people – either through death, rapture, or second advent (depending on whichever applies), they are to continue to be longsuffering. Then, to give a concrete example of the idea, he next says, “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth.” Israel which was formed under the Old Covenant was an agrarian society. They would perfectly understand James’ words. There was a cycle to life which could not be hurried, nor could it be changed through anxiety, frustration, or anger. The farmer lived by the cycle, and he learned to wait for it to come to its next anticipated stage. If bills were owed, and it was four months until the harvest, his anxiety would not change the situation. If he was owed money, and it was not yet harvesting time, his anger at his neighbor for being late on the agreed payment schedule would not change a thing. The grain would be sown, the cycle of growth would begin, and it would eventually be time to reap the grain. During the entire cycle, he could only watch the process unfold and busy himself with other duties to keep himself and his family going. As the days turned to weeks and then into months, he would be “waiting patiently for it.” As noted already, he could do nothing to change the cycle, and if he allowed anger at the slowness of the process to enter his soul, only he would suffer. It would show a truly unwise streak in him to be angry at something he had absolutely no control over. This is just as true with the events which occurred during the wait as it was with the time of the wait itself. And for each crop, this was “until it receives the early and latter rain.” There are two rains which prevailed in the annual cycle of Israel. The early rain and the latter. They are also known as the autumnal and spring rains. The early (or autumnal) rains would come around October and November. They would last through February. The latter rains would come from March through April. Vincent’s Word Studies notes of these rains – “The early rain fell in October, November, and December, and extended into January and February. These rains do not come suddenly, but by degrees, so that the farmer can sow his wheat or barley. The rains are mostly from the west or southwest (Luke 12:54), continuing two or three days at a time, and falling mostly in the night. Then the wind shifts to the north or east, and fine weather ensues (Proverbs 25:23). The latter rains, which are much lighter, fall in March and April.” This was how the cycle normally occurred. To have rain out of this cycle was considered miraculous and even a sign of divine displeasure. That is noted in 1 Samuel 12:16-18 – “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes: 17 Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking a king for yourselves.” After the destruction of Israel by the Romans, and in the exile of the people of Israel, the land was so devastated that it actually changed this normal cycle, and for the next 2000 years, Albert Barnes notes – “At the present time there are not any particular periods of rain, or successions of showers, which might be regarded as distinct rainy seasons. The whole period from October to March now constitutes only one continued rainy season, without any regularly intervening time of prolonged fair weather.” In other words, the early and latter rains that governed the cycle of life in Israel ceased to occur. When the Romans came in to destroy, they cut down all the trees in the land for building siege-works. It is this which changed the climate so that the rains became irregular. The land went into upheaval, and it became a desert in most places and unusable marshes in others. Everything became chaotic and unmanageable. However, with Israel returned to her land, the cycle has returned to that noted in Scripture. Since the Jewish people have returned, they have drained the swamps, cleared the land, and planted millions of trees. Because of this, the land now receives both the autumn and spring rains once again. The rains are predictable, the land is flourishing, and the farmer can again sow and reap. Thus, James’ words are a prophetic clue to the return of the Lord. This will be seen in the coming verse. Paul speaks of this same type of patient attitude for believers during the church age – “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 Life application: Compared to the Old Testament, there is not a great deal of predictive prophecy in the New. Most of it comes from Jesus’ words and from the book of Revelation. Along with these, there are a few passages in Acts and the Epistles which tell us about coming events. For the most part, James is not a book of prophecy, but his word here very well may be an indication of when the Lord’s coming is drawing near. James tells his readers to be patient until the Lord’s coming. This is because Jesus isn’t going to return when we want, but only when the time of harvest has come. Are the return of the early and latter rains to Israel an indication that Jesus also will be coming soon? If you want to know the times, there is no better place to look than to the land of Israel. As events there unfold, the stage is again being set for the people to take a prominent position in world events, culminating in a rebuilt temple, seven years of tribulation on earth, and climaxing in the glorious return of Jesus. Before these things happen though, the rapture will occur. Are you ready? Jesus is coming. Lord God, You have set a prophetic marker into the stream of human history. It is an indication that the times are coming to their fulfillment, and that the return of our Lord is soon. Your word said that it would happen, and it has come about as You spoke. Israel has returned to her land. Surely the coming of the Lord is at hand! We wait with eager anticipation for that day. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 5, 2019 22:46:31 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:8, 5 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 Thursday, 5 September 2019 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8 James repeats his words of the previous verse. They are set in parallel – 7) Therefore be patient, brethren 8) You also be patient The meaning of “You also be patient” is based on what he said about the farmer in verse 7, that he waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and that his waiting is based on the coming of the former and latter rains. Each thing is interconnected, and there is nothing the farmer can do about what lies ahead once the seed is sown. Likewise, James says, “Establish your hearts.” The word translated as “establish” gives the sense of strengthening, being steadfast, or being fixed and firm. Here, James says that the hearts of the believers are to be so established. They are not to waiver. In the Bible, the heart is not speaking of the physical heart which pumps blood, but of the mind which is the seat of moral reasoning. One can see that he is basing this exhortation on the treatment from the rich which was mentioned in the first six verses of the chapter. There is fraud and there is deceit in the world, but it does not mean that the Lord will never show up to correct it. The time of the coming forth of “the precious fruit of the earth” of the previous verse is a part of a fixed cycle which will come about in its due time. Thus, the admonition to establish the heart is set in parallel to those words concerning the ripening of the fruit – 7) See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth 8) Establish your hearts Paul made a similar encouraging exhortation to the saints at Thessalonica – “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13 James then explains why his reader is to establish his heart. It is because “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Again, this is set in parallel to the words of verse 7 – 7) Waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8) For the coming of the Lord is at hand. James is equating the coming of the early and latter rain directly to the coming of the Lord, meaning His second coming. Why would he do this when Israel was receiving these rains when he wrote this epistle? It is because it was prophesied by the prophet Hosea. Hosea prophesied 700+ years before James of a time when Israel would return to the Lord. The obvious meaning is that they must first turn from the Lord. The prophecy of Hosea shows this, but it also shows more – “Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. 3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3 Hosea said that “After two days He will revive us,” and “On the third day, He will raise us up.” This is actually a prophecy of the ending of Israel’s second, extended exile. As the Bible records in Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8, a day to the Lord is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day, this is a prophecy that Israel would be exiled for 2000 years and then revived, and in the third day (the third millennium) Israel would be raised up. Hosea then equates the coming of the Lord to be “like the rain,” and “Like the latter andformer rain to the earth.” As noted in the commentary in the previous verse, these rains were interrupted in Israel after their exile. The land became barren and unproductive. Only with the return of Israel, their draining of the swamps and planting of millions of trees, and etc, have these cyclical rains returned. It is a sign – a prophetic sign to the world, and believers in particular – that “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Life application: Never mind that this was written 2000 years ago. The verse needs to be taken in its proper context. James was talking to the recipients of his letter about being patient, just as the farmer is patient. The body of believers is to wait on the Lord for His return through any time-frame, be it 100 years or 25000 years. Considering that the church is made up of individuals, the Lord’s coming for each of us really isn’t that far away regardless of when He actually returns to earth. We will each be called home after a short walk on this earth. We need, therefore, to stand firm and be patient each day we live. None of us knows the hour of our death, nor do we know the time of the Lord’s second coming. So we simply need to be about His business at all times. Don’t be misguided by preachers or Bible teachers who deny the rapture of the church. Christ is coming for His church at the rapture. This will be followed by a 7-year period known as the tribulation, during which Israel will be the center of attention. After this, there will be a literal 1000-year reign of Christ on earth known as the millennium. These verses are to be taken literally, but they are often dismissed as allegory because they otherwise differentiate between the church and Israel. If you believe the church replaced Israel, then you will inevitably come to the wrong conclusion about future events. But if you believe, as the Bible teaches, that Israel has a specific role which is yet to be fulfilled, then you will be able to understand the other future events in their proper context. Lord, open our eyes to understand where our doctrine is wrong. And then, help us to not be stubborn, but to correct it according to the truth of Your word. May our thoughts on what is revealed concerning Jesus, salvation, and those things which are to come align properly with what You have given us. And Lord, help us to defend the integrity of Your word concerning all of these glorious things! Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 6, 2019 23:40:11 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:9, 6 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019· Friday, 6 September 2019 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9 James now gives words of instruction for the wait which will end at “the coming of the Lord” as stated in verse 7. It could be a long one, and during that period he instructs the brethren to “not grumble against one another.” The word used signifies a sigh or a groan. By saying, “against one another,” it then signifies to grumble or complain. This is certainly referring to being impatient, envious, grumpy, haughty, and the like. When we are in such a condition, we may grumble against other brothers, but this is inappropriate. Further, it signifies that we feel we have no one that we are accountable to in our grumbling. We might say in our minds, “Jesus is a long way off,” and because of this, we will tend to forget how we are expected to act. In this, James says, “lest you be condemned.” Here, there is a variance in manuscripts. Some translate it as “condemned,” while others translate it as “judged.” Judged is certainly the more likely. First, it is the exact words of Matthew 7:1 where “judged” is used. Secondly, there is the truth that there is “now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is not coming to condemn His people, but to judge them. And this is what James then says to those who forget that this is so. He calls out, “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” He just said in the previous verse that “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” In the previous chapter, he spoke of those who boastfully speak of “tomorrow” as if they have a claim to it. But James said that it is otherwise. We don’t know our next breath, nor do we know if our heart will beat again. Likewise, we do not know when Christ will return. There was to be a constant anticipation of His return from the moment he left. And that is still true today. Christ stands at the door, and His people are to be ever-mindful of this, not grumbling against one another, not boasting about tomorrow, and simply waiting patiently for His perfect timing. And more, the idea of Jesus standing at the door as Judge is reflected in the words of Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Christ is the Judge for salvation or condemnation of those who either will or will not come to Him, and He is the Judge of those who do come to Him for reward and loss. At all times, He is the Judge, and He stands at the door. Life application: In this chapter, James has admonished us concerning the following – 1) We are told to be patient until the Lord’s coming. This tells us it is something that must be waited on and can refer to any amount of time. It is indeterminate in nature. 2) The farmer waits on the time of harvest, and the Bible speaks of the work of the Lord through various types of harvests. 3) Just as the farmer needs to be patient for the rains to come, so the people waiting on the Lord should wait. If James’ words concerning the coming of the spring and autumn rains refers to the return of both rains to the land of Israel, which has finally happened after 2000 years, then the return of these rains may indicate the general time of the Lord’s return. 4) As we wait, we need to not grumble – judgment, though seemingly a long way off, is certainly coming. And, 5) When the times indicated arrive, the Judge will be standing at the door. This could be referring to the rapture as indicated in Revelation 4:1 – “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’” At the rapture, the trumpet will sound, the door to heaven will be open, and the people of God will be translated in the twinkling of an eye. Then the door will be closed and judgment will fall on the unbelieving, unrepentant world. Are we close to the return of Jesus? Well, one thing is for certain – we’re 2000 years closer than when the New Testament was penned! Keep looking up, Jesus is coming – be it soon or be it a while more, Jesus is coming. O God! What a great and glorious hope we have in Christ. Just to see Your face, Lord Jesus. Just to see Your face! We wait on You with antici….. pation! Until then, give us patient hearts. The wait will be worth it when the trumpet sounds and the call is made. Even so, Come Lord Jesus. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 8, 2019 0:16:47 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:10, 7 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 Saturday, 7 September 2019 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. James 5:10 James has said that “the coming of the Lord is at hand” (verse 8). However, he also said that his audience is also to be patient. What is true, then, is that the coming of the Lord being “at hand” means at any given time, but not specifically in a short amount of time. It is obvious now, two thousand years after he wrote this, that this is true. And as a part of the wait – no matter how long it will be – the brethren can expect trials. And in those trials, there is to be an acknowledgment that they are not unknown to the Lord. Understanding this, he says, “My brethren.” As he has done numerous times, he indicates that his letter is written to believers who are “brethren” in Christ. This is not without importance, because he next says, “take the prophets.” He is making a connection between the prophets of old and the brethren in the church. In essence, “As they were, so you should be.” He then further clarifies who “the prophets” are that he is speaking of by saying, “who spoke in the name of the Lord.” He is obviously referring to the true prophets, not the lengthy list of false prophets recorded in books such as Jeremiah. Were the true prophets exempt from difficulty which extended out for unknown durations of time? No! Rather, they faced the same limitations as anyone else. And they also faced suffering like anyone else. But James says to look to them “as an example of suffering and patience.” The meaning of this is that they suffered, but that they were also patient in their suffering. Patience here implies not knowing how long they would suffer, but they bore up through their trials. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, and at the time of his calling he was told that things would be tough – “‘They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to deliver you.’” Jeremiah 1:19 Daniel faced the lions, his three friends faced the fiery furnace, Isaiah was told to go about naked and barefoot, Ezekiel’s wife was taken from him and he was instructed to not mourn over her. On and on, the record of the prophets reflected that of difficulty, trial, and suffering. And yet they were patient in their affliction because they knew the Lord was with them. And the believers in Christ have this same guarantee – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 James is imploring his audience to understand that the same Lord of the prophets is the Lord of the church. Believers in Him have the same assurance of affliction that the prophets did, but they also have the same promise of His faithfulness that the prophets possessed. Paul was told this right at the beginning of his ministry – “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” Acts 9:15, 16 Paul knew that suffering lay ahead, and yet he accepted his commission (see Acts 26:19) without reservation. James is asking for his reader to consider these things, to understand that suffering is a part of the human experience of which believers are not exempt, and to be patient through that suffering – no matter how long it will continue. Life application: So much for the “prosperity gospel” where everyone gets wealthy and lives carefree lives after accepting Jesus! James reminds us that the very people who received God’s word were often the ones who suffered the most. The Lord’s chosen were placed in stocks, stoned, deprived of food, and tortured. These great heroes of the faith accepted what God chose for them because they understood that God is sovereign. He created them and has every right to portion out both blessings and hardships. Likewise, we need to accept the good and the bad, the joyous and that which saddens, and prosperity and poverty. We can carry a like attitude during all circumstances when we have a strong and grounded faith. It is this type of faith that God is pleased with and which He acknowledges with favor. When we can look beyond the moment and see the eternal rewards in store, then we have truly come to that comfortable spot where nothing can steal our joy. As the Psalmist of old said – “I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:5, 6 Heavenly Father, it is easy to read words of courage and strength during suffering, but it is much harder to actually live that way ourselves. Give us the ability to praise You and to accept what You have given us – good or bad – that we may be true children of faith. May You be the One who is glorified through our lives. Amen.
|
|
|
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Sept 9, 2019 0:21:34 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, James 5:11, 8 September 2019
WWW.WONDERFUL1.COM·SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019· Sunday, 8 September 2019 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11 In the previous verse, James spoke of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, using them as his example of suffering and patience. He now states of such people, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure.” He uses a verb found only here and in Luke 1:48 where Mary says that all future generations would call her blessed. There is a blessing for faithful endurance through suffering, and James highlights that in his thoughts. It is a commendable thing to bear up under suffering when it is for the glory of the Lord. Such was the case with the Old Testament’s premier example of suffering, Job. James brings him into his thoughts now by saying, “You have heard of the perseverance of Job.” Though not a Hebrew, Job was known for his faithful endurance through suffering even among the Jews. The book which bears his name is an integral part of their canon of Scripture, and it reflects the high regard that the Lord had for Job as a person of righteousness and as a person willing to maintain his composure before the Lord, even in the most difficult times of suffering, loss, and sadness. Because of this, James then says, “and seen the end intended by the Lord.” The words “intended by” are inserted for clarity. James makes this unusual statement to show that the sufferings of Job came about not because of God’s displeasure, but because He is sovereign over His creation, and this was His means of teaching both Job and those who read his account about the good end which He has purposed for His people, despite their sufferings. And that good end is found in the fact “that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” The word translated as “very compassionate” is found only here in Scripture, and it is believed that James invented the word for this particular statement. It is one which means “many-boweled.” The bowels are considered the place of the deepest emotions, and thus it signifies the multi-faceted and heartfelt emotions of God towards His people. The other word, translated as “merciful,” is found here and twice in Luke 6:36. All three instances are speaking of the mercy of God. As HELPS Word Studies says of this word, it signifies “experiencing deep pity (lamentation) as God has for people who look to Him for help in their difficult situations.” One can see that these two words signify both the feelings of the Lord and the act by the Lord in relation to those feelings. He is very compassionate, and that state is worked out in His being merciful. In remembering that this is based on the sufferings of His people, James is showing us (his audience) that this is what we too can expect from the Lord, despite any sufferings we face or may face in the future. The Lord is aware of those things, and He is with us in our woeful state, bringing us to a good end. Life application: Most people know at least a portion of the story of Job. The book begins with – “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Job 1:1-3 Very quickly, the narrative shows that he lost everything mentioned here and was left with only a nagging wife and boils covering his body from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Despite this, Job never swayed in his convictions and continued to praise and exalt God. He understood that God truly is “very compassionate and merciful.” Towards the end of the book of Job, it records – “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters.” Job 42:12, 1 As you can see, Job was given a double portion of everything he had lost; God restored to him and added more. The sadness and pain of the time between his loss and restoration was swept away. The Lord promises to have this same compassion and mercy upon us as well. Despite facing trials, loss, and death, we can have complete confidence that all wrongs will be righted. This is not a guarantee for prosperity in this life. Instead, we have a greater guarantee – that of eternal life and no lack or want forever. This has been guaranteed to all who follow Jesus Christ. If you are facing the years of trial, sadness, or loss, just remember they have an end. The Lord is ever gracious and merciful and He knows how to care for His beloved children. Let’s praise Him for this – Yes Lord! We praise You and give You glory and honor for Your tenderness and care. Despite our trials and hardships, we know that You have promised full and complete restoration. May You be praised! May You be praised! Glory, honor, and majesty to You! May You be praised! Amen.
|
|