God’s Mission
James 1:19-21
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
According to James, God desires to see righteousness produced in us. And, as James points out, our anger derails that production of righteousness. So we are encouraged to "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry".
We are further encouraged to get rid of moral filth and evil that is so prevalent – they obviously don’t help either. With an air of meekness behind it all, James tells us to humbly accept God's word planted in us which can save us. It can save us from our angry outburst, it can also save others from our angry outbursts, and it can save us from snap judgements that we may regret later.
God's desire is to see people saved – and to see a fruit of righteousness produced rather than one of sinfulness.
Prayer
Father God, I want to humbly accept Your word. I want it not just planted in me but rooted and producing fruit in me. Help me learn to stay connected to Jesus the Vine so that I can produce the fruit You desire. When opportunity to become angry arises, help me be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. And teach me to love people in all situations and including those who arouse anger. I want to be more like Jesus in whose name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:73-80 (Teth, 10th letter)
- Your hands made me and formed me, give me understanding to learn your commands.
- May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
- I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. - May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant. - Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.
- May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts. - May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes. - May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Psalm 131:3
Israel, put your hope in the Lord both
now and forevermore.
Psalm 147:11
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who
put their hope in his unfailing love.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Who do you rejoice over (Pslam 119:74) when they walk in the room? Consider why that is. Does it have anything to do with God? How could God shine out of you?