Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: God provides wisdom to face trails and perspective on poverty.  God does not tempt us to do evil, He gives only good gifts.  God’s word can save us from anger and moral filth, but only if we practice it.  The truly religious person cares for those in distress.
2. Life involves many kinds of testing; it is in God that the testing of our faith produces endurance and because of Him, we are able to grow mature.  When we experience difficult times—financial or relationship—those are the times when we are most able to focus and be dependent on God. These times can be filled with joy when we realise that He is strong when we are weak.
3. Recalling a trial you have experienced, what pressures did it bring on your faith?  What “wisdom” did you gain through it?
4. In this wealth-chasing modern society, what do vv 9-11 mean to you?  What might James say you should “boast in”?  Will you heed his teaching?  Why?

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 27:9-12

⁹ Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
    and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.
¹¹ Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
    that I may answer him who reproaches me.
¹² The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.