Tag Archives: submission

December 3
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“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  (James 4:8, NIV)

How does the disciple of Jesus address internal conflict and external strife?

According to James: First, draw near to God, and submit to His rule in your life, and; second, resist the devil.

Yesterday, we focused on the latter.  Today, let’s look at the former.

The act of “drawing near” to God can be as simple as taking time to pray, but it is always intentional, and it always reflects our desire to enter the presence of our heavenly Father. It is in the presence of God that the child of God receives the wisdom necessary to address internal conflict and external strife.  – Luther

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December 2
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“Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  (James 4:7, NIV)

Today’s scripture selection is a “summary verse” of James’ explanation of the source of our internal conflicts and of our external strife.

The solution to this serious problem is two-fold: (1) Draw near to God, and submit to His rule in your life, and; (2) resist the devil.

Today’s focus is on #2. Tomorrow, I will address #1.

The devil is intelligent, experienced, practiced, cunning, and persuasive.  He is not irresistible.  In fact, our simple resistance foils his tactic of playing to our desire for the immediate gratification of our physical, emotional, and spiritual desires.

Our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are real — and they are important.  Therefore, resist the devil’s “good” offers.  Wait, wait, wait for our heavenly Father’s better, greater gifts.  – Luther

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April 2
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Maundy Thursday

“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:41-43, NIV)

God always answers the prayers of His children.

Sometimes, it is within the plan of God to deliver His child from peril or difficulty.  To be sure, it is a gift beyond words to be delivered from illness, injury, and death.  More times than we realize, God’s hand has delivered us from difficulties, danger, disease, and from death.

Yet, sometimes it is within the plan of God to deliver His child through the peril or the difficulty looming before us. Even here — perhaps, particularly here — we are not alone in our suffering.  As God did for His only begotten Son in the crisis reflected in today’s scripture, God will also do for you when you allow Him to work through you for His purposes. He will give you evidence of His presence; and He will strengthen you with His strength!

Fear not!  Whether from or through, God’s presence and God’s provision are always — always — ours when we confess: “Yet not my will, but Yours be done.”  – Luther

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