But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:25 (NIV)
Father, You know I wrestled with this verse this morning. I thank You for that. In my struggle I see so clearly how I can want to apply Your Word to the lives and sins of others and resist applying it to myself. I wanted to pray to You about my nation, its current and past sinful state, besmirching the 250 years that we celebrate tomorrow. I want to call the founding fathers and the current “religious right” hypocrites and racists. I want to point my finger at them and declare, “You call yourselves Christians!” Humph!
Yet, my spirit continues to hear You say, “What about you?” And, when I take a step back, I realize that I, in my own way, hear Your Word, read Your Word, and the first thing that comes to mind is to pray for others who I know need to hear this word, that You are speaking to them through me. Or worse, I quickly say I got this or it doesn’t apply to me.
But it DOES! Every word, every letter, every punctuation mark was placed in that sacred text in order that I might see myself the way You see me and order my life in the manner that You have purposed. ALL Scripture is given by inspiration from You, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness in order that I might be perfected in You (2 Timothy 3:16)! Forgive me, Father!
I pray for a sensitive heart that does not just gloss over Your Word but allows it to sink deep into my being, breaking what needs to be broken, tearing down what needs to be torn down, healing what needs to be healed, and shaping what needs to be shaped. Transform me daily from being just a committed hearer but a full-fledged doer. Set me free from me and enable me to walk in the freedom that comes from being bound by Your Word. And please show me every jot and tittle, the significance of every word, and Your holy intention with every phrase that I might know You better, follow Your will more closely, and be transformed into who You have created me to be more purposefully, all to Your glory in Jesus’ Name. Amen.