SOAP Devotional 2014-02-10
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 NLT)
Observation:
Key phrases here: “God blesses”, “patiently endures”, “afterward they will receive”, and “those who love him”. The if factor here is if we patiently endure testing and temptation and the reward is twofold, blessings now and the crown of life. What motivates us to follow through on the patiently enduring is not the reward. The motivation is because we love God. It may be that that love not only motivates us, but also empowers us to endure.
Application:
The rewards of God such as blessings now and rewards in heaven later are just icing on the cake for believers. We love him, and the fact that he loved us enough to allow Jesus to die on the cross for us is really enough of a gift. But God does so much more. Even though testing and temptation comes, the re-born believer is empowered by God to not just endure, but to overcome these things. And then when we do it with the right attitude, “patiently endures”, he blesses us more. What a loving God.
Prayer:
Father, help me to look at testing and temptation with the right attitude. One that will allow me to patiently endure rather that fussing and whining. I give you thanks in advance for the additional blessings that you pour out on us. May you receive all the glory.
