Be Still and Know Daily Bible Devotion

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No”. Otherwise you will be condemned.
James isn’t talking here about bad language but about the very common practice at the time of trying to strengthen a statement by taking an oath. Jews made a distinction between oaths made in the name of God, which could never be broken, and other oaths that didn’t mention God, which could be broken. James encourages his readers to make life much easier by simply telling the truth.
The Greeks held that the best guarantee of any statement was not an oath, but the character of the person who made it. Our words are the natural overflow of the lives that we live, so if we live with integrity, people will know that they can trust our words. If we always keep promises, people will know that the next promise we make can be relied upon.
Speaking the truth is the fundamental building block for every relationship. When relationships break down, it is almost always accompanied by lies and deception. The only way to bring a relationship back on course is by speaking the truth. This will often be painful and difficult, but it is the only route to build a solid and strong relationship, and this applies to our relationship with God just as it does to those with our colleagues, friends and family.
Question
When do you find it difficult to tell the truth?
Prayer
Thank You Lord that I can be totally truthful with You and know that You will always love me and forgive me. Help me to speak the truth in every situation, however tough it might be. Amen

James 5:11
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
We don’t know exactly what James’ readers were facing, but clearly it was tough for them to live as Christians. They needed to persevere. Amid all the temptations, distractions and persecution that they were facing, they needed to hang in there for God. This is precisely what Job had done when he had lost his children, his possessions and his health. He could so easily have given in – but he didn’t. He persevered.
There are many times in life when God calls us to simply endure. William Carey was the father of the modern missionary movement and he went to India in 1793. During his time there he faced a succession of problems and setbacks, including a major fire which destroyed years of his work – but he kept going. He once said to his nephew: “If after my removal anyone should think it worth his while to write my life, I will give you a criterion by which you may judge its correctness. If he gives me credit for being a plodder, he will describe me justly. Anything beyond this will be too much. I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.”
Whatever we are facing today, God wants to us keep plodding on.
Question
What have you learned from those tough situations which you have had to endure?
Prayer
Thank You Lord that You will never leave or forsake me. Thank You that I can be sure that You will be right beside me whatever I have to face. Amen

James 5:9
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
The Bible introduces us to lots of grumbling people. Most famously we hear the people of Israel having a whinge after God had miraculously led them out of slavery in Egypt. They had been there for 400 years and, at last, had been set free by the mighty hand of God. The yoke of oppression had been broken and they were now able to enjoy the sweet taste of freedom. But almost immediately their response was to grumble because things weren’t working out in the way they had hoped.
Nothing much has changed. Grumbling continues to consume huge amounts of time and energy in every part of society. You would hope that churches would be a glorious exception to this rule but, sadly, this isn’t true. James is concerned about this and is severe in his words. Grumbling shouldn’t be taken lightly. It seriously damages the spiritual health of a church and God will judge it. You have been warned!
How should we respond to all of this? Billy Graham once observed: “Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful.” I find this helpful. We have a choice to make, and God’s desire is that we should live our lives with gratitude – gratitude to God for all that He has done for us and an attitude of gratitude towards the people around us. Gratitude is always God’s way for us.
Question
What are you going to do when you are next tempted to grumble?
Prayer
Lord God, forgive me for grumbling, and by Your Spirit nurture in me an attitude of gratitude. Amen

James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Waiting sounds easy until you have to do it! As we all know, waiting can be incredibly difficult and demanding, especially if you don’t know how long you are going to have to wait for. Waiting for medical test results, or for a member of the family to make contact or for someone to repay a debt – any of these can sap your energy and leave you feeling exhausted, disappointed and confused.
The challenge we have to face is that Christians are called to be a waiting people. We are all waiting for the Lord’s return, and no one can be sure when it is going to happen. The one fact which is definite is that He will return, because that is what He promised to do.
Israel is a very hot country, but it also enjoys a considerable rainfall. There are two distinctive times of rain: the early rain which starts in October and the latter rain which falls in May. The farmers there can wait for the rain with confidence, and in the same way we are able to live our lives with the certainty that history is in God’s hands and that, one day, Jesus will definitely return, just as He promised.
Question
Are you ready for Jesus to return today and, if He doesn’t, are you willing to wait with patience?
Prayer
Thank You Lord that history is in Your hands. Help me to be ready for Jesus’ return, whenever it happens. Amen

James 5:1-2
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
You can almost see the steam coming out of James’ ears, can’t you? He is furious at the way in which the rich people are abusing their position. His very specific gripe is that they have failed to pay their workmen for mowing their fields. For James, this isn’t a little economic problem. This is an evil that has reached the ears of God Himself, and the rich people are heading for certain judgement.
The Bible isn’t against rich people. However, God certainly [itals]is[end itals] against anyone who abuses others, and on many occasions, scripture reveals times when rich people have abused their position and exploited others.
Wealth, in itself, is a good thing, because it is part of God’s creation. However, we live in a world where the majority of people live in poverty, and about 10% of people live in extreme poverty. Our responsibility is to be good stewards of what God has put in our hands. We need to use whatever God has given us wisely and ensure that the most vulnerable are protected and cared for. James wants us to know that we all have a role to play in sharing God’s good gifts.
Question
What do you own and how could you use it more effectively to help vulnerable people?
Prayer
Thank You Lord for all my possessions. I recognise that they have come from Your hands, and I ask Your Holy Spirit to help me to use them in a way that will glorify Your name. Amen