"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:7 (NRSV)
Prodigal Thoughts: One translation puts it like this. "Place yourself under the authority of God." Another says, "Humble yourself." I can’t help but think of little Isaac submitting himself to his father (Abraham) and laying down and being bound to be sacrificed. Isaac trusted his father just as Abraham trusted God. Isaac lay there watching his father raise a blade to sacrifice his son, when all of a sudden, God interrupts him. God provided a ram for the sacrifice rather than Isaac being killed. This was a test for Abraham to see just how much he loved and trusted God. Then there is the idea of resisting the devil. The term "resist" can mean "stand firm against" in this verse. This teaching seems to be an "all or nothing" type of message. You completely trust God, but you fight against the enemy. You pledge your allegiance to the heavenly Father, but you battle the enemy with all of the energy you have and all that you are. There is a promise here. By no means am I implying this is an algebraic formula or some way that we could or should manipulate God. It is a matter of spiritual maturity. If we fight long enough and hard enough, the enemy will understand that God is our source and He has already won the war.
Prayer for today: Today, I pray that we find our allegiance, not in any man-made government or divisions, but in the Kingdom of God. That He would remind us that we are His children for those who are living rightly and according to His purposes. I pray that we would truly stand and fight the enemy, so that they turn around, tuck their tails, and run away out of fear of the Holy One.
If you need prayer, please reply and I will pray for you. If you would like to talk about this verse or have questions, I’m always open for your feedback.
God’s grace on you…
Prodigal Thinker 