Scripture: James 4:7-10
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Cry out in sorrow, mourn, and weep! Let your laughter become mourning and your joy become sadness. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Thought for the Day: This was the passage I was planning on using for the devotional, but the devotional needed to take a slight turn in light of events in our country. This is a call to confession, and James doesn’t mince words. He is tough on everyone and from every angle. In the horrific events that unfolded a little over 24 hours ago in Las Vegas, there is only one person to blame. I’m sure there will be plenty of people who will reflect back and wish they might have said something about some strange behavior or something else they saw. We all wish that was the case, but people should not beat themselves up. At the same time, I would call us to read James and to consider a time of both mourning and confession. I feel a bit like a broken record (for those who remember what records are), but we as a nation must do some serious thinking. Let me suggest that we do our best and most constructive thinking after confession – after authentic and even painful confession. I’m not looking for anyone to respond to this devotional in the near future, and not to be harsh, but if you respond by saying, “Yes Bruce, but the real problem is…” you are probably holding too tightly to opinions that need confession.
Prayer: Let me bring it all before you in a prayer of confession, O Merciful Father. Right now I am hurting for those who are hurting, but I am also outraged and scared and sad. Plenty of people will suggest the quick fix, but such thinking belongs to those who don’t wish to do the hard work that begins with confession. This I offer in the name of your gift of hope and healing, Jesus Christ. Amen.
This is for those who were directly impacted
and those who are trying to figure out
what to say and do for those who were impacted.
