James 1:19-21 - "Washed By The Water"

I woke up this morning to these words in "Washed By The Water"....

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

This song was written after a pastor (who is the father of brothers in the band) went through a tough time with someone in the church verbally tearing him down. One of the brothers said this about his father, "I just thought it was a cool thing that my dad kept his integrity throughout that whole situation." In this particular situation it was a father's own children looking at the response he gave to a nasty situation. But we must remember people are watching to see how we respond to words or situations. They want to see how we will react to adversity. Reactions say a lot for a person's faith. Will we depend upon the Lord or will we strike out with ways and words of the enemy. We live in an atmosphere of evil. We have to make the choice of either Kingdom living or not. It all comes down to that choice. We must remember as we go through trials on this earth that it is not the trial we must focus on but instead it is our faith in going through the trial. If we choose to react to a trial in a way that is not Christ-like, the enemy will win. Instead we need to go deeper in our faith and trust God. We cannot give into sin as a reaction. Instead we must realize we can grow in our faith through the trial. God does not give all the trials we go through but He will use them to make our faith stronger. In James 1:19-21 we are given instruction on how to deal with anger. Anger can lead to sin. Sin leads to death. Earlier in the chapter we are given instruction on how to deal with all trials. Trials lead to tests. The manner in which we react to those tests needs to be perseverance. Perseverance leads to maturity in Christ which leads to eternal life. In order to live eternally with our Heavenly Father we must...

• live out our faith during the trials of life
• say 'no' to sin and allow our Heavenly Father to work in and through us
• die to self

Many believers have accepted Him yet continue to hold onto the notion that sin is a part of life. It does not have to be. In I Peter 1:16 and different verses of Leviticus the Lord tells us, "Be holy, for I am holy." Christ did not sin while on this earth. He is the example we need to follow. Jesus didn't hang on the cross and blame His Father for the trial He was in. Instead He drew strength from His Father. We need to do the same thing as we go through trials on this earth. Instead of sinning in our thoughts and actions we need to embrace the trial and seek what He wants us to learn from it. I like how Matthew Henry describes it...

Verses 19-21 Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears and hearts to learn what he teaches by them. And if men would govern their tongues, they must govern their passions. The worst thing we can bring to any dispute, is anger. Here is an exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment, all sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and affection, as well as of speech and practice; to every thing corrupt and sinful. We must yield ourselves to the word of God, with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to hear of our faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who propose any mean or low ends in attending upon it, dishonour the gospel, and disappoint their own souls.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song and study this morning. Father, I pray for more of You in me so that I can live a life pleasing to You. I pray for Your words, action and attitude to show through me today. Whatever is ahead, I pray I will react in Your way. Lord, sometimes words tear us down but we must always remember that Your love covers us. I love the words to this song that "Even when the rain falls...the flood starts rising...the storm comes, I am washed by the water." Woo hoo! Yes! I live these words out each and every day and am so grateful for that knowledge. Lord, take my faith deeper! Thank You Father for being My Water. Amen.