Verse of the Day 11/25

Verse of the Day 11/25

James 4:8   Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.    English Standard Version (ESV)

We have celebrated Thanksgiving, having spent time being thankful to God for His many blessings throughout the year and our lives.  We have moved past "Black Friday" and the craziness and perhaps the best evidence of materialism of the year.  Now we head towards Christmas, the time when God came near in the form of Jesus being born in Bethlehem so long ago.  In the coming days and weeks many of us will be drawing near to God at this time and as we do, He will draw near to us.

This short passage from James, the "Proverbs of the New Testament", gives us an outline of what this drawing near looks like.  You will  notice that it starts with submitting to God, literally falling in line like a soldier under the authority and guidance of his commanding officer.  We then see "resist the devil" which is to take a stand against his temptations.  This is followed by today's verse where we are called to draw near, to pursue God and a relationship with Him.   From there we see "cleanse your hands", it is something done ceremonially in the Old Testament and is an outward action of purification.  Then, we have "purify your hearts", this is an inward action which bring our inner thoughts and motives and our hearts desires before God.  Then in verse 10 we read where we are to humble ourselves, something that is out of step with the me first in our society and in this season.

A.W. Tozer writes, "Certainly His kingdom can never be realized in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. It is when I resign, when I am no longer king of my domain that Jesus Christ will become king of my life."

May we not be "double minded" as we read in today's verse, trying to serve God yet pursuing all this world has to offer.  May our focus today, this week and this season be to draw near to God and feel Him drawing us close to Him.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

James 4:8-10 The Message (MSG)

^7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.