I’ve been working through this study with Jesus.

It’s much more of a devotional/journal type exercise than a deep text study.  I’m loving learning more about David, but she immediately applies everything to my daily life in journal exercises.  Which means I don’t feel much need to work it through on here.  (Oooh, she also has us pray His Words back to Him at the end of each daily section.  Love it.)

But today the reading was from 1 Samuel 4:1-11, where the Israelites treat the ark of the covenant like a good luck charm in battle and are whooped up on as a result.

She asks:

“In what ways do we well-meaning Christians sometimes use our faith like a good-luck charm, thinking that if we handle it just right, it will grant our wishes?

What’s the real danger in this?  How have you seen this cause other people’s expectations of God (or perhaps even your own expectations of Him) to stray from biblical truth?”

Almost immediately my thoughts went to James, where the Spirit’s words have kicked my tail a time or two in my faith walk.

James 3:13-16:

“Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

Oh man.  If I could only recount all the times I’ve been driven by bitter envy and selfish ambition.  The next set of verses are my prayer:

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (vs 17-18)

Jesus, make us peacemakers.  Give us the wisdom that comes from heaven.  Rid us of all bitter envy and selfish ambition.  May we never treat you or your expressions of goodness as good luck charms or idols.  Give us holy fear of You.