“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Have you ever listened to your own prayers to God? If you are like me it will be a sobering experience. Over and over I hear myself asking God to do things that I should be doing myself! Don’t act so pious, I am sure you just as guilty as me!
There are many passages of Scripture that demonstrate our part and God’s part in having a closer walk. I think of the parable that Jesus told in Luke 15:11-24. It was the son who made the move to return to the father. The father did not send out a search party for the son. (This is a hard truth for parents whose hearts are being broken by wayward children). God uses circumstances to bring rebels to their knees, but it still remains their choice to rise and return.
Think of the many times you have prayed for the Lord to make you do something: “Make me love You better.” “Make me pray more.” “Make me have a better attitude.” “Make me _______.” You get the picture.
Look at today’s Scripture. There are three things mentioned that I think most of us desire in our life: The devil to flee from us, the Lord to be near to us and the Lord to lift us up.
That is all well and good, but what are we told to do? What steps of action are we to take?
1. Submit yourselves, then, to God. (Not my will but Thine!)
2. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Say no!)
3. Come near to God (Make a choice to go God’s way)
4. Wash your hands, you sinners (Confess your sins)
5. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Bathe yourself in God’s Word)
6. Grieve, mourn and wail. (Experience brokenness for the lost)
7. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. (Recognize that this world will pass and eternity is waiting)
8. Humble yourselves before the Lord (Turn everything over to God and rest in His provision for your life)
The next time you pray for God to do something for you, stop and ask yourself if you have been obedient to do the things He calls each of us, as His disciples, to do for Him. Perhaps it would be better to pray: “Lord show me what You want me to do or be”, not just “What I want You to do for me.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
Insights on John is part of the 15-volume Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary series. This newly revised and expanded edition draws on Gold Medallion Award–winner Chuck Swindoll’s 50 years of experience with studying and preaching God’s Word. His deep insight, signature easygoing style, and humor bring a warmth and practical accessibility not often found in commentaries.
ECPA Gold Award – Jesus taught with hands-on lessons and illustrations. TheHands-On Bible uses the same experience-based learning to communicate God’s Word in an active, understandable way. With hundreds of fun, memorable activities, the Hands-On Bible is packed with activities and experiences that invite kids to crawl inside the Scriptures and do God’s Word!
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