A couple of years ago we made a Doulos Intro-Video called “Eric Yiulander”. In this video, we had the debut of Mamagatu (played by Henry Kuo). The reason I bring this up is because through the video, Mamagatu encourages his followers to bury their true feelings and emotions with a superficial smile and laughter. It is interesting because I think we tell people in the church that they should always be joyful, always be laughing, always be happy. But how can we laugh and be joyful over sin in our lives. We avoid dealing with the deep roots and the dirtiness of sin. We want to gloss over it with a sweet worship song or a happy face. How many times have you heard someone tell you turn your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom at church? Well, I am glad you are doing this devo because the Word is going to tell you just that.
Please read and reread James 4:1-12
We see here in James 4 that it can be broken down into three sections. The first two show us the problems that are out of control in the church, while the third proposes a solution. In the first three verses we see how James rebukes believers for their prayers for they are marked by anger and selfishness, not an attitude of trust in God. Verses 4-6 shows there are differences in living in this world (for the readers it would be the Roman world, for us it would be in the US society) and life lived according to God’s desires. A choice must be made and we must be aware that no one can satisfy the demands of both. Then verses 7-10 give us the solution to various problems and that solution is a call to repentance.
From NIV Application commentary – “In urging grief and a shift from laughter to mourning and joy to gloom, James reminds his readers that the false paths they thought would lead to true laughter and joy are dead ends and need to be abandoned. This abandonment must carry with it a recognition that the pursuit of these old false paths has not only grieved God, but endangered the Christian community and harmed many of their sisters and brothers. The recognition of such hurt carries with it an awareness of guilt and responsibility that are not appropriately mixed with laughter and joy.”
So spend some time in reflection. Turn your laughter into mourning – what are things that we have falsely headed towards and thought would bring us happiness? Ask God for forgiveness and turn now towards God’s ways.
Tuesday: Pray for your family
Praise God for parents because they love you and take care of you.
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