30 “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ 31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.—James 1:21-25
As I read these verses this morning my heart was convicted. So often I can read God’s word and hear it as a lovely song rather than the very word of my God to me. I become a forgetful hearer rather than a blessed doer. Now I do love God and I am so very grateful for His word to me, but at times it is difficult for me to put aside the cares and concerns of my little world and focus on hearing how God is speaking to me personally. I asked myself why it was difficult for me especially in times of distress (which lately seems like always) to allow God to comfort me. This is what came to mind.
My anxiety interrupts my thinking processes and disables my hearing. My cares divide my heart! The word of God tells me I am to be anxious or careful for NOT one thing. I am to be troubled for NOT anything. They are fatal to my peace and my quietness of spirit. Worse yet, they make me doubt God’s faithfulness and goodness and start me down paths that are not from Him. What do I need to do when doubts assail and anxious thoughts multiply. This is what I heard the Lord say to “me” this morning.
Beloved…Don’t become entrapped in your own anxious thoughts. Admit your fear and Your insufficiency. They don’t surprise ME. Pray…pour out your heart to me and give ME each and every one of your anxious and careworn thoughts. You are not sufficient for anything but that’s okay…because I AM. I AM the Becoming One and will become for You whatever you need. MY grace is sufficient and MY strength made perfect in your weakness. I will see you through this life.
but He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness." Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God's strength].—2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Father…help me to pray and set aside my own futile thoughts. I have been given the mind of Your Son. Oh how blessed is the man that You instruct, Father, and teach out of Your law. Your wisdom and grace will give me peace and rest in the days of adversity. You will not cast off Your people. You will not forsake…not ever…those that belong to You.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
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