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James 4:7-10

⁷So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. ⁹Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.

Reflect

How do we draw close to God? What does it mean to be humble before God? Purify your hearts? What exactly does that mean? I think we can learn from David who, after being confronted with his sin, came to God with the right attitude. Here are some key verses from Psalm 51.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins…..Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin…..For I recognize my shameful deeds–they haunt me day and night…..Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow…..Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

Respond

Why is it important to come to God with the right attitude?

When you ask God for forgiveness, do you expect to be forgiven?

Have you admitted your total dependence on God?

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