James 4:1-12

Be Still: Jesus, open my eyes to see you rightly today. As I spend time with you, would you transform my heart and mind. Come and have your way. Amen

Read: James 4:1-12

‘Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.’(v8)

Encounter: We’re warned in today's passage to watch out for double mindedness. To be friends with both the world and God is impossible, for the direction of travel is in totally opposite directions. Trying to sit in both camps only leads us further away from God.

Turning our backs on the world and prioritising God can feel impossible. We exist in a culture that specialises in busyness, distraction, and stress. With big business plotting to profit by glueing you to a screen, Netflix producing more content than ever and podcasts constantly offering a 10-step guide on how to fix your life, it can be a battle to find God within the noise. 

James' solution? ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.'

It seems over simplified, and yet it’s the truth – 

When the pull of the world feels too strong, ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.' 

When we make idols of success have a hold, ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you’. 

When we feel tired, stressed, or burnt out, ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.' 

Our God is always ready and waiting to receive us again. In his presence we are realigned with his will and his way. He brings rest and simplicity to our crowded minds.

Richard Foster writes: ‘Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to Him. He grieves that we have forgotten Him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence’ *

Apply: Where has the voice of the world overtaken the voice of God in your life? Is there any area where you feel pulled in opposite directions?

Simply take a moment to draw near to God again, trusting his promises to meet you there. Allow him to give his rest and peace through his presence. 

Devote: Jesus, I choose friendship with you today, would you align my heart with yours. Thank you for always meeting me here.. 

*Catching a Glimpse of God's Heart - Richard J. Foster