Daily Devotion, March 28, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read James 4:7-10.

The first word of our passage today, submit, is one that often makes Christians uncomfortable. Believers sometimes think submission is oppressive and implies we have to do things someone else wants us to do that we really don’t want to do. This is a misunderstanding of submission.

The Latin root of submit means “to yield.” When we yield, we “give way.” The biblical meaning of submit means to yield to the mission of Christ. As followers of Christ, we are to yield or give way to Christ's way for us. Biblical submission is putting Christ’s will before our own will, and Scripture tells us we can trust God with our future. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

James gives us four ways to draw closer to God and live his way.

1. Don’t let Satan entice and tempt you.

2. Lead a pure life with wise choices.

3. Express deep, heartfelt sorrow when you sin.

4. Humbly lean on God’s wisdom and power instead of your own.

We have a choice to either follow our natural tendencies or to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us and follow God’s plan for us. Our level of submission is an indicator of our closeness to God. Let’s listen to God’s urging this week and yield to him.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray today for a submissive heart, one that willingly yields to God’s will. 

Father, I willingly submit myself to you. I understand that living my best life means yielding my plans to you. I ask you to give me the power to withstand Satan’s temptations and to make wise choices. Thank you for filling me with your wisdom as I willingly yield to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.