“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:2-3).
The Living Bible states the following: “You want what you don’t have, so you will kill to get it. You long for what others have, so you start a fight to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it. And even when you do ask you don’t get it because your whole aim is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”
What a sad picture of our world today. Even sadder are the ways Christian people get drawn into this web. Is it any wonder why souls are so miserable?
If your life feels empty of joy, evaluate your motives and attitudes. It’s time to repent and ask God to restore your joy. Start anew on the path to living a life pleasing to God.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Thinking of Christmas gifts? Pray that God would give believers worldwide (including you) boldness in sharing the best gift of all—the message of the gospel.
