The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Two kinds of wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
In last weeks passage James wrote ‘Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly’. (James 3:1) In this weeks passage he continues to talk about thinking wisely about our aspirations.
Heavenly Father,
It is hard for us at this time not to envy people better off than ourselves, it is hard for us not to be selfish when days are uncertain. Lord give us insight into the future you see for us. Reveal to us the plans you have for us. And Lord help us to know we can put our trust in you. Amen.
Offer to God your own:
Prayers for other people
Bless one another as you finish – for example ‘I bless you now, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirt.
Amen.