James 5.11
Behold, we consider those blessed
who remained steadfast.
You have heard of the steadfastness of Job,
and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,
how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
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The world I live in is constantly preaching to me, and it is a “gospel” of “me.” I even think of all the names of social media platforms and see the apparent “me-centeredness” of it all: FACEbook, YOUtube, INSTAgram, MYspace (remember that?), and all the “i” products from Apple. I’m preached at to believe that I should do what makes me happy, that I should follow my heart, and that I deserve to be happy. I feel entitled to my rights, my privileges, and my freedoms.
Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong about social media, rights, happiness, or freedom, but my flesh loves to tell me that I am owed all of these, deserve them all, and that I must have them. This seeps into my life of faith, as well. I can’t believe how many times I have aimed to do what is right, to serve God well, to live selflessly, or to sacrifice my time, only to become annoyed or miffed that I was not thanked, appreciated, or worse, that I was even maligned or disrespected. I can start preaching to myself the same message that the world preaches: “you don’t deserve this. You deserve better!”
I think of the phrase my Dad excitedly adopted when he was dying of cancer. Having just met Jesus six weeks before he died, He was amazed that Jesus waited patiently for him for 68 years. When asked how he was doing, he would happily reply, “better than I deserve.”
No past privilege,
nor all past privileges together,
no past obedience,
nor fruitfulness of service,
can ever substitute
for present obedience
to the Word of God.
-Sinclair Ferguson
Somehow, the disease of entitlement convinces me that I’m allowed to become bitter, or allowed to mistreat those who mistreat me, or neglect situations that call for my obedience. But mistreatment does not let me off the hook. I am called to humbly serve and pour my life out, regardless of any praise I may (or may not) receive from others.
The amount which I understand
and believe the Gospel
is measured by my ability
to be joyful in all circumstances.
The Gospel gives me both the command and the power to lower myself and seek to serve and bless others. I can gladly receive what comes my way, and I can be free from the desire to be appreciated or the expectation of gratitude, recognition, or respect from others.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
James 5.11
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 63.1–11
1 O God, you are my God;
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love
is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied
as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you
with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you
in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings
I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over
to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
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Pray Aloud:
Father, help __________
to glorify You in every way.
Reveal Your beauty in _________
as it is in Heaven.
Give _________ daily bread,
and thank You for Your undeserved mercy.
Help us to forgive others who have hurt us.
Keep __________heart soft for You,
for Your Word, for prayer,
and for those that You put in their life,
that they may keep their heart
from evil and sin.
Thank You for Your grace and mercy.
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