On day 4 in week six we started looking at James 5:13 - 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises (HCSB) Other versions use similar words for "suffering" - trouble, afflicted, ill-treated, hurting - all of these lead us to prayer. When we are feeling good, cheerful, happy - we are led to sing praises. I don't know about you, but many, many times in my prayer time, when I'm hurting, suffering, troubled, I find myself singing praises. I believe that's the power of prayer. I believe as we spend time in prayer, in the presence of God, abiding in Him, we move from the hurt to embracing His mercy and are able to sing His praise.
We can't begin to move out of a suffering state of life, a victim state, a hurting state, if we aren't living a life with God! I mean truly lving a life with God day in and day out. Jesus tells us in John 15 starting in verse 1 that He alone is the True Vine - our support and that God is the Gardener. We, His children, are the branches on the Vine. We are going to be pruned so that we bear more fruit during our life here on earth. Without the pruning and remaing in the Vine we cannot bear fruit! (I encourage you to read John 15:1-17 several times) To remain in the Vine - is to abide in Christ, which is to live life with God day in and day out. It is to go to God in prayer when we are hurting, suffering, troubled, and allow God, and God alone to turn it into joy, so we can sing praises!
Praise God that His word goes together from the very beginning to the end. James is a small book, with a mighty message. We only have a little more to study, but oh so much more to learn! I can't wait - how about you?
No comments:
Post a Comment