A Daily Devotion for Thursday, May 8
- ontrakk
- May 8
- 1 min read
James 1:23-24
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
This sentiment is so easy to relate to. How many times have I looked at my watch, then had to look again because I hadn’t really paid attention when I looked the first time? It takes some time to let things soak in when I read scripture, and I am realizing right now it would be helpful for me to read the scripture from this morning again tonight before I go to bed. I need to put into practice what I read. God sets his Word in front of me for a reason.
Holy Lord, your word is a map for my life. I need to continue to refer to it and remember the way. Amen
Becky, transforming
James 1:23-24
This reminds me how awfully important God’s words are to us. One of my goals when I retired was to read the entire Bible. I got a little book “The Bible in a Year” (it took me 18 months…). The book gave readings for each day and two or three questions at the end of a week. After I was finished, I didn’t have the sense of fulfillment I thought I would have. I quickly realized that the Bible, God’s words, are not just merely meant to be read, they are meant to be studied. I don’t regret reading the entire Bible but I think I may have “looked at it and immediately forgot the words”. I am…
James 1:23-24. Psalm 119:1-8
Both these readings stress living the words of God that we read each day. Not just reading them, but living them. Living this way keeps us on the right path for a fulfilling and joyful life. Our Bibles are our only sure guide, our roadmap, as my granddaughter once told me. A map to living and loving as He would have us do.
Prayer: Gracious God, Remind me everyday to try to live the words I read and write about. AMEN
For courage to live out God’s word
Thursday, May 8th,
James 1:23-24
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
This is a very convicting scripture. Only a foolish person examines their natural face and does nothing to clean it up. Christians should expect God's Word not only to reveal our imperfections, but also to show us what to do to correct them. What kind of person am I. There is nothing more thought provoking than looking straight at one’s-self and understand what w…
James 1:23-24
It would be interesting to look up other translations, specifically regarding the word, “listens.” Did James use this word because so few people could read and most got their learning by hearing? Could it be that he was implying hearing was not quite enough, but that one needed to read and study the word to fully digest and live it from day to day? Whatever the answer, the point is clear. Hearing (or reading) the word is never a “one and done.” Unlike anything else we read, Scripture can direct and even transform life from utter meaninglessness to sanctification. It can only do that, however, if we strive daily (despite our inevitable failures) to “do what it says.”