Scripture:
““So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
James 4:7-8, 10 NLT
Observation:
Throughout many of the verses in today’s reading, I hear the Spirit of God speaking to me about returning to humility. As it said in both readings in 2 Chronicles and James 5, the overarching theme was coming back to God in humility. Today I was reminded to check my heart daily to see where my loyalty is. Do my acts and behavior show that I am loyal to God? If not, I need to humble myself, draw close to Him and repent.
Application:
In 2 Chronicles, the priests and Levities, cleansed the temple of things that defiled it. If my body, is a temple where the Spirit of God resides, what are some of the things that need to be cleared out? Some of my list includes: pride, anger, desire to be in control, and selfishness.
I also need to repent and bow down in tears of sincere repentance. For God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6b, Proverbs 3:34) and I need his grace. I know I truly desire to please God, but I also know that my own desires can get in the way of doing so. I know this is a longer than a one-day work, but it will probably be a lifetime. The Levites and priests took about sixteen days to purify a material temple, but it will a lifetime of God’s grace working in me toward sanctification.
Prayer:
I come before you, God Almighty, with my heart bowed down. There are quite a few things that have come between you and me that have displeased you and I feel that is why these verses You led me to read were so profound. I ask for your forgiveness of the sins I have committed and for the areas in my life where I still haven’t relinquished complete control over to you. I submit them before you at the foot of the Cross and ask for your renewing of my heart and life so that you will be pleased and glorified. Thank you for your patience with me and I humbly ask that you help your church, NHY to also be a church that is humble before you. We love you so much and are grateful for your powerful grace! I ask of this in Your Name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
