DRAWING NEAR
June 3
Be Quick to Hear
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick
to hear" (James 1:19).
It has been well said that either God's Word will keep you from sin
or sin will keep you from God's Word. Apparently some of James's
readers were allowing sin to keep them from receiving the Word as
they should. God was allowing them to experience various trials so
their joy and spiritual endurance would increase, but they lacked
wisdom and fell into temptation and sin. James called them back to
the Word and to a godly perspective on their circumstances.
James 1:19 begins with the phrase "This you know," which refers back
to verse 18. They had experienced the power of the Word in salvation,
now James wants them to allow it to sanctify them. For that to occur,
they must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath (v. 19).
Being quick to hear means you don't disregard or fight against God's
Word. Instead, when trials or difficult decisions come your way, you
ask God for wisdom and receive the counsel of His Word with a
willingness to obey it. You're not like the disciples on the road to
Emmaus, whom Jesus described as "foolish men and slow of heart to
believe in all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 24:25).
You should be quick to hear the Word because it provides nourishment
for your spiritual life and is your weapon against all spiritual
adversaries. It is the means by which you are strengthened and
equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It delivers you from
trials and temptations and engages you in communion with the living
God. The Word should be your most welcome friend!
Be quick to hear, pursuing every opportunity to learn God's truth.
Let the testimony of the psalmist be yours: "O how I love Thy law! It
is my meditation all the day . . . . I have restrained my feet from
every evil way, that I may keep Thy word. . . . How sweet are Thy
words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Ps. 119:97,
101, 103).
Suggestions for Prayer:
Thank God for His precious Word and for the marvelous transforming
work it accomplishes in you.
For Further Study:
Read Psalm 19:1-14.
What terms did the psalmist use to describe God's Word? What
benefits does the Word bring?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work.
Psalm 19:1-14
19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows
His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals
knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to
the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices
like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other
end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony
of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The
commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of
the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them
there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not
have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be
innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be
acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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