Verse of the Day 11/13

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 7-9, Hebrews 11:1-16

Good morning,

For today's verse we'll go to the book of James once again and continue with the thought of submission that we considered yesterday. Take your post and stay. James gives us some very practical advice on why we should do so, the benefits of doing so, and what is involved in doing so - purifying our hearts for God.

James 4:7 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. NIV

Verse 10 in the same passage encourages us to "humble yourselves". It goes together with submission. In being humble and submitting to God we don't think highly of ourselves but are more concerned with God, our spouses, and others in general.

Taking your post and staying involves putting on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) to be able to withstand the things that the devil, (not the character in the red suit, but the real thing) will hurl at us. With God on our side and the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) we can resist the devil and He will flee from us.

Today's New Testament reading from above moves into Hebrews 11 and the "Hall of Faith". It is full of examples of people who have done just that, they took their post and stayed. How? They stood on His promises by faith, Heb 11:1-2 "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Read the following from The Message:

Heb 11:13-16 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that — heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
Standing on the Promises

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Ps 46:7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. NKJV


In Christ,

Mike



James 4:6-11

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

"God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble."

Humility Cures Worldliness

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.


NKJV