Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7‭-‬8 NKJV

OBSERVATION

The text admonishes us to submit to God. To submit means to subject yourself and your will under the will and power of God. Submission is a sign of humility that says " may I decrease as you increase" in my life.

Resisting the devil is not confronting and challenging the devil as if he is a nothing. But it is doing what Jesus did. To hold on to the Word every time the devil says or whispers  something to your spirit, mind or heart. He who stands on the solid Word of the Lord in tough times will resist the devil by being resolute in the Word of God. What makes him flee is not your voice by the substance of the word.

The next word from apostle James is that we must take the initiative always to draw nigh to God. Interestingly he says, God will draw night to us. It is very interesting that drawing closer to God starts with a desire to be closer to him. It is the inner drive of the spirit that says I must close the gap between myself and God. Draw near to him by prayer and intercession, draw near to him by your conversation with him through the word. 

During difficult times, the safest place to be is in the presence of God. The most secure place to be is to be under the shadow of the Almighty God.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:1 NKJV

 LET US DRAW NEAR TO God  with our hearts sprinkled with blood, cleansed and purified with the water of his word. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

Don't drift away from God, don't drift away from fellowship, don't drift away from prayer, don't drift away from service, don't drift away from your pastor, don't drift away from your leaders. Draw nigh to God. Cleanse your heart, hands and spirit.

But we are not those who turn back and are lost. We are people who have faith and are saved.

Hebrews 10:39 NCV

In difficult times draw nigh to God he will draw near to you.

What a privilege - you are responsible for the first step ...draw near to God he will draw near to you.

Amen..!!!

AMCDevotions