"...Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
"In Humility," James says, "receive the word implanted...." Tracing the verse backwards, we see a divine progression:
The salvation of our souls
The word implanted
Our reception of that Word
Humility
Humility is what prepares the soil (heart / soul) to be receptive so that it desperately clings to the word that has been planted in it. Then in time, as with all good "seed" there comes germination, new life, luxurious growth and ultimately fruit and multiplied seed to be dispersed and the process begins again in others.
The Psalmist, through much dealings with God, reproofs and affliction realized that all of the difficulty was necessary for him to grow and change. In order for him to be genuinely affected by the Word, it was necessary that he be afflicted. He discovered that being humiliated and humbled, though painful, was well worth the price, for he says: "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your Word...it is good for me that I was afflicted...that I may learn...for the law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces." It seems that he's not only different in how he lives but his value system has been transformed.
So, to add to the progression in the first lines of this blog, we must add affliction, leading to humility, etc. So as the difficult things come, and they will, envision the Hand of our loving Father working and dealing bountifully with you for your good and His purposes. It'll make the "trip" much more bearable and maybe even comforting to know that Our Father not only loves us but is busy doing good things to benefit us... and others.
Blessings,
Mitch
