The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in James 5:4,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty."
We are fond of thinking of the wonder that God listens to our prayers. It is wonderful to know that when we go to our Creator in prayer with our heartfelt concerns, our distresses, our joys, he listens. James makes the point in his letter that when these prayers are offered in true faith and attended with motives that are in line with God's agenda (as opposed to meeting our own selfish ends), he answers them.
Here in this verse, however, James tells his readers that beyond responding to what he hears of the well-intentioned prayers of the faithful, he also hears the cries of those who have been mistreated in one fashion or another. James speaks of the rich who have exploited their hired help by not paying them their fair wages for work performed. God hears it. He is listening and he hears when we have wronged others or when we ourselves have been wronged.
James points out that those who have "fattened themselves" by taking advantage of others have only fattened themselves for the "day of slaughter." In verse 7, James tells us to be patient and wait for the Lord's second coming. If we are found to be impatient and begin to "grumble against one another" we will have to face him as our Judge!
Our God is in heaven and he is listening. He hears it all and one day he will right all of the wrongs. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13. "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5. "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30-31.
These passages of Scripture should be sobering to us all. But, how wonderful that God recognized our poor estate and sent his Son to take our punishment for all such things! Rather than having to face the dreaded day of the Lord, Jude says, "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy... " Jude 24. How wonderful Jesus Christ will stand at my side as my advocate! Without him I would have no hope, only a dreaded gloom of judgment hanging over me! Because of him I look forward to the day I stand before God with joy - without fault, in spite of all the sin, all the poor decisions I have made in this life!
We are fond of thinking of the wonder that God listens to our prayers. It is wonderful to know that when we go to our Creator in prayer with our heartfelt concerns, our distresses, our joys, he listens. James makes the point in his letter that when these prayers are offered in true faith and attended with motives that are in line with God's agenda (as opposed to meeting our own selfish ends), he answers them.
Here in this verse, however, James tells his readers that beyond responding to what he hears of the well-intentioned prayers of the faithful, he also hears the cries of those who have been mistreated in one fashion or another. James speaks of the rich who have exploited their hired help by not paying them their fair wages for work performed. God hears it. He is listening and he hears when we have wronged others or when we ourselves have been wronged.
James points out that those who have "fattened themselves" by taking advantage of others have only fattened themselves for the "day of slaughter." In verse 7, James tells us to be patient and wait for the Lord's second coming. If we are found to be impatient and begin to "grumble against one another" we will have to face him as our Judge!
Our God is in heaven and he is listening. He hears it all and one day he will right all of the wrongs. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13. "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5. "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30-31.
These passages of Scripture should be sobering to us all. But, how wonderful that God recognized our poor estate and sent his Son to take our punishment for all such things! Rather than having to face the dreaded day of the Lord, Jude says, "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy... " Jude 24. How wonderful Jesus Christ will stand at my side as my advocate! Without him I would have no hope, only a dreaded gloom of judgment hanging over me! Because of him I look forward to the day I stand before God with joy - without fault, in spite of all the sin, all the poor decisions I have made in this life!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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