As those loved by the Lord we must remember that love, especially in light of the allure of this world. James says that friendship with this world is enmity towards God. Thus we must watch our passions and measure them against our first. The Lord is indeed gracious and more than able to provide whatever we should ask. The question is, why do we ask?
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:1-8)
McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: Num 21, Ps 60-61, Is 10:5-32, Ja 4
