Reflections

²You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2 New International Version

One of my favorite hymns is What a Friend We Have in Jesus.  There is a verse that says we are to bring everything to God in prayer.  Too often we do not follow this advice.  We get upset about what we lack and do not rejoice in what we have.  Many times this attitude can lead to coveting what others have and envy.  As James says we kill and covet but we cannot have what we want.

We are to take everything to God in prayer.  All our needs and desires.  When we take things to God in prayer He will give us wisdom.  Many times we lack because we do not ask God.  Are you in need of money? Then ask God.  Don’t covet and plot how you are going to get yours.  Don’t lust after things.  By asking God, God will show us the way.  He will bless us to be a blessing to others.  Also, God will search our hearts and check our motives.  He will know whether the thing that we want will really be of a benefit or a stumbling block in our walk.

When we put God above everything, then He will give us the desires of our hearts.  By making God first His desires become our desires.  What He wants for us is what we will want for ourselves.  In this there is no room for lust, envy or covetousness.