This is the seventh of 13 sessions looking at selected passages from the book of James. Click here to read the introduction and for an overview.
Click here to see the sixth session.
Session 7
A favorite pastor recently served up this rich food for thought: God does not go where He’s needed; rather, He goes where He’s wanted. Let that sink in for just a moment. God goes where He’s wanted. His presence in our lives, in our circumstances, is not a matter of our demands or our ability to have Him on a string. It’s not about what we think we need from our limited viewpoint.
Rather, it’s His part of this unique love equation He has established for us, should we choose to play our part.
The Book of James speaks freely of submitting ourselves to God. The writer urges us to resist the devil, to purify our hearts and to humble ourselves before God so He can lift us up. Notice, though, that all of these things are proactive rather than reactive. They’re about us taking the initiative, not God.
It’s the same way with
In this context, submission is not about some harsh domination or strict set of rules. It’s not about God saying that it’s His way or the highway. Instead, it’s about loving God enough to trust Him fully with everything. It’s about understanding that His perspective is so much greater than our own as He sees the end from the beginning. That’s when we can come to God with our problems, fears, failures, insecurities and difficult decisions and say, “Please help.”
Of course, there is nothing wrong with needing God. The question, however, is why we need Him. Do we need simply His provision, His favor or His protection? Or do we just need Him? The former may not be a demand He chooses to answer, but the latter is a request that’s likely to be met with open arms.
Remember this:
What the Word Says:
“Come near to God and he will come near to you” (
How It Applies:
God’s presence in our lives is not something we can demand. We don’t have Him on a string just to answer our requests. However, as we take the initiative to seek Him first in love, He will respond in kind.
Questions for Group Discussion:
• Why might God want us to come to Him before He comes to us?
• Do you think you need God? If so, in what way(s)?
• What does it mean to you to submit to God?
• Are you more likely to ask God for His direction/answers or to ask Him to approve the decisions you’ve already made? What’s the difference?
• Think of a time you really have needed God. What happened?
