Hearing and Doing God's Word - Ezekiel 11-13 and James 1

Israel had heard God's Word more than any other people in their day, but they did not obey God's Word. They knew what to do, but they went their own way. The counselors gave counsel that was against God's counsel. The prophets gave false prophecy. The women worked magic, which was against God's Word. That is why God had to punish them. They had heard the Word, but they did not keep His Word.

We do the same thing as Christians today. We have even more of God's Word than Israel did. We have heard it, but do we do it? James tells us that if we only hear God's Word, but we are not doers of the Word, it will do us no good. He was right! What happens when we face trials? Do we face them with joy and ask God for wisdom and strength? If we know to do that, and we do not do it, it does us no good. What happens when we face money problems? Are we satisfied with what God gives us, and do we glory in how He blesses us? That is what His Word tells us to do. What about temptations? Do we endure temptations, and remain faithful to the Lord, or do we give in to the temptation and sin? If we know what to do, but we do not do it, it does us no good. We must be doers of the Word for God to bless our lives.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 14-15 and James 2.