James 4:7-8&10 NIV - 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Journal Entry #51
There is a certain progression to this verse that if we will first submit ourselves – that is our will and every part of our lives – to God, we will then we able to resist the devil and stop our constant sinning that keeps us from drawing close to a holy God. This then, among other things, is a call to repentance. To wash your hands means to turn away from your sins. To purify your heart is to set it on God alone – do not be divided between your sins and your God. Acknowledge your place before God as needing His grace, depending on His strength, and being under His authority – and He will pour out His grace and fill you with the courage and strength you need to stand up against the devil and to keep yourself from sin. Remember, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13).” He will lift you up to walk blamelessly before Him*.
May we pray, “Our Father, help us to fully submit ourselves to You for You alone are God and we are Your children (John 1:12, Romans 8:15-17, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Galatians 3:26). Help us to wash ourselves in the blood of Christ and to turn from sin, to set aside those things that so easily entangle us (Hebrews 12:1-2). Give us the strength by Your Spirit to stand against the devil, remembering that He has already been defeated by You (John 16:33, Colossians 2:15, 2 Timothy 1:10). You are victorious over him and will give to us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57, 1 John 5:4). In the midst of all the hurrying in this life, Lord, place in us a desire to draw near to You, the giver of every good thing* (James 1:17). For in You we find all we could ever need. May we long to know You, God, and to be close to You. May our hearts be pure and our passion single – for an intimate relationship with You, for the spreading of Your gospel, and for Your eternal glory. May we always remember that our place is on our knees at Your feet where You will pour Your grace out on us and lift us up to Your glory. May Your name be exalted in all the world! Amen.”
*See the song Every Day of Forever, Who You Are.
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