James 1:5-8

James 1:5-8 

English Standard Version 

  When I think of all the things I could ask God for, I'll confess that wisdom probably doesn't rise to the top of the list, which probably means that I need wisdom more than anything else!  I think of all the worldly treasures I could get... but they'd all fade away, right?  Watching the news will tell me that all the worldly treasure can't keep me healthy or away from relationship loss or other monetary loss.  Many celebrities and other rich and famous people don't seem very happy, despite having more money than they know what to do with.  So wisdom would be good, even if my heart dances more merrily at the thought of other things God might grant me.

  Of course, to come to God and ask for wisdom when you doubt that God can grant such wisdom is folly.  Who else might you be asking for wisdom?  Is God one of many?  If we believe that God created the earth and is stronger than death... why are we wasting time asking anyone else for wisdom?

  And if we don't believe that, then why ask God in the first place?

  To truly believe that God is bigger than the universe and capable of anything and chooses to love us -- should not such a thought drive us to our knees in prayer and praise every day?

James 1:2-4

James 1:2-4 

English Standard Version 

  Do you ever wonder if James lost all his listeners in the second verse of his book?  I wonder how many people got up and walked out upon hearing this verse read, knowing they could never relate to such an idea.  Who counts it as joy when they meet a trial?

  What a mindset that early church had.  With everything that happened, they were trying to determine how it brought them closer to Christ.  Their celebrations pointed ahead to the great celebration in heaven, and their trials helped them think about being purified for the kingdom.  Every single thing -- none of it was lost if there was an opportunity to grow in discipleship through it.  

  I would love to have this kind of mindset -- to see everything through the filter of growing in discipleship, to waste nothing but always be waiting for the Spirit to lead me closer to Christ.  May we find some semblance of this in our own lives, waiting and watching for God to work in the midst of it all!

Psalm 57:1-3

Psalm 57:1-3 

English Standard Version 

  The image of God as a mother hen is always comforting -- I love the thought of God spreading a wing over me in the midst of the storm, to be gathered up in the safety of the one who knows me and loves me completely.  The God who created hears my cry, and God will deliver me from every enemy through his steadfast love.  God is faithful, to and through the end.  There is nothing else that can be counted on in this same way, and thanks be to God that such love chooses to be for us!

Jude 1:20-25

Jude 1:20-25 

English Standard Version

  I believe this is my 17th year writing these devotionals, so I've probably written between four and five thousand, which is somewhat unbelievable, and as best I can tell, I don't think I've ever written one on Jude before.  I'm likely missing a few Old Testament prophets as well, so I'll have to go back through and see what books there are remaining.  Maybe I'll cover one of the genealogies :)  

  What stands out to me here is the call to have mercy on those who doubt.  There's a call to responsibility towards one another that is sorely lacking in today's world.  We are a community of people, each of us dealing with unique issues and challenges, each of us fearfully and wonderfully made.  That's a hard thing to remember sometimes, especially since much of the media seems prepared to stoke division between groups.  Fear sells better than unity, I suppose.

  May we look at one another with mercy.  That's how God looks at us -- God sees our failures, and yet God loves us with patience and grace, thankfully!  May we try and love one another in that same way, and do our part to restore peace in this world.