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Sometimes praying feels hard. But we can pray with confidence, knowing the Spirit intercedes for us.

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James 5:11

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

We don’t know exactly what James’ readers were facing, but clearly it was tough for them to live as Christians. They needed to persevere. Amid all the temptations, distractions and persecution that they were facing, they needed to hang in there for God. This is precisely what Job had done when he had lost his children, his possessions and his health. He could so easily have given in – but he didn’t. He persevered.

There are many times in life when God calls us to simply endure. William Carey was the father of the modern missionary movement and he went to India in 1793. During his time there he faced a succession of problems and setbacks, including a major fire which destroyed years of his work – but he kept going. He once said to his nephew: “If after my removal anyone should think it worth his while to write my life, I will give you a criterion by which you may judge its correctness. If he gives me credit for being a plodder, he will describe me justly. Anything beyond this will be too much. I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.”

Whatever we are facing today, God wants to us keep plodding on.

Question

What have you learned from those tough situations which you have had to endure?

Prayer

Thank You Lord that You will never leave or forsake me. Thank You that I can be sure that You will be right beside me whatever I have to face. Amen

Today’s readings come from Psalm 118:17-29, Colossians 4:2-18, Jeremiah 16 and 17

We can wonder sometimes where we fit in. The good news? You're not here by accident. God created you for a purpose, and He has a unique plan for your life.

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Whatever today holds, God has given every believer direct access to His help through the Holy Spirit.

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Today’s readings come from Proverbs 24:15-22, Colossians 3:1-4:1, Jeremiah 14 and 15

James 5:9

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

The Bible introduces us to lots of grumbling people. Most famously we hear the people of Israel having a whinge after God had miraculously led them out of slavery in Egypt. They had been there for 400 years and, at last, had been set free by the mighty hand of God. The yoke of oppression had been broken and they were now able to enjoy the sweet taste of freedom. But almost immediately their response was to grumble because things weren’t working out in the way they had hoped.

Nothing much has changed. Grumbling continues to consume huge amounts of time and energy in every part of society. You would hope that churches would be a glorious exception to this rule but, sadly, this isn’t true. James is concerned about this and is severe in his words. Grumbling shouldn’t be taken lightly. It seriously damages the spiritual health of a church and God will judge it. You have been warned!

How should we respond to all of this? Billy Graham once observed: “Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful.” I find this helpful. We have a choice to make, and God’s desire is that we should live our lives with gratitude – gratitude to God for all that He has done for us and an attitude of gratitude towards the people around us. Gratitude is always God’s way for us.

Question

What are you going to do when you are next tempted to grumble?

Prayer

Lord God, forgive me for grumbling, and by Your Spirit nurture in me an attitude of gratitude. Amen