I just finished the book of James in my daily reading a few days ago. I feel compelled to share more in this Bible Journal category than in the others…because
after all…
The Word of God will remain.
Yes, blog posts come and go.
People read the post once or twice. But then they are gone- another post collected in the bin of “archives”. Just another post among the millions out there on the world wide web. And what use have those posts been if they have not edified the soul, talked more about God, and delved deeper in the Word of God?
We tend to fill our lives with empty little things as we browse the internet. I’m not saying it’s worthless to blog or it’s sinful to spend time on other people’s blogs. I’m not even saying that blog posts are good for nothing.
But often we spend a lot of time on those minor things and not so much on the major things of the Bible. Isn’t it true?
So here are a few verses that I wanted to share with you:
the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
(James 5:11)
I just love that verse. It soothes my soul. It reminds me just how compassionate and merciful He is. Sometimes I tend to forget and project my feelings and thoughts on the Lord as if He is just like me, when in reality He is infinite in His compassion and mercy. So this prepares me for the verses below.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours,
and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain;
and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
And he prayed again,
and the heaven gave rain,
and the earth produced its fruit.
(James 5:16-18)
Knowing that the Lord is very compassionate and very merciful. We can come before God with boldness and pray fervently and effectively. James reminds us that even the prophet Elijah was like us in nature. He had his own fears, doubts, flaws and problems- but a man or woman who lives righteously can come before the throne of grace boldly.
Can you imagine how important your prayer is? Do you know how important it is for you to pray for your country? For your president? For the economy? For your family? For the troops? For your church and family?
I cannot emphasize it more: extremely important. The verse says the prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much. Meaning it is very powerful! It is the most powerful weapon that the Lord has given us.
So don’t wait. Pray that the economy will get better for the sake of the righteous families in this nation. Pray for the president and our troops. Pray for your pastor and your church. Pray for your parents and your siblings, your school and your job.
And that’s the exact thing I will have to do once I publish this post. Pray.