A Call to Worship – Our Ever Gracious God

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. – James 1:19

I printed this verse for my kids. Not because they wanted it, of course. Rather, because I wanted it for them. I wanted it for me. For my peace of mind. For my sanity of soul. For one evening that I could just make dinner without an interrupting tattle or tantrum.

I thought I was brilliant. One little verse that covered so much ground. I used a large black font on plain white paper and taped it to our kitchen wall. And then, I suppose, I expected it to just “work.” Maybe by osmosis of spirit my kids would suddenly stop erupting at each other and start getting along. 

Shocking to no one, after months of this paper taped to my wall, I’m not sure it’s had any effect on my kids. Worse yet, it continues to speak to me, humbling me, convicting me. Me! Except I wasn’t the one I thought needed fixing.

Nevertheless, beyond the personal impact, if there is one thing God has revealed, it is this: God fulfills this verse himself.

Praise God, he perfectly satisfies this command. And we are recipients of this goodness.

God is quick to hear. Praise God that he hears our prayers. What an unbelievable promise that God is so personal, so eager and ready to listen to each of us. We can know that when we pray, we are not praying in vain. Our Father hears every word.

God is slow to speak. Praise God that he is slow to speak. What a gift that we have a God who communicates with us. We can treasure every word, whether by Spirit or written, because we know he does not speak in error. He does not rush to comment, and he never blurts out something unnecessary. His word is true and stable. Reliable and consistent.

God is slow to anger. Praise God that he is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. What grace that he would act patiently towards us. We can approach him in confidence, knowing that his emotions are always in line with his holiness, and his reach of understanding has no limits. 

He’s quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. And he is quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry… to me. To you. 

Praise God for his kindness to us. His kindness among generations. His kindness for eternity to come.

It would have been utterly delightful for my kids to have magically absorbed the spiritual maturity this verse commands, but what a humbling and rightfully orienting lesson this verse teaches us about the character and nature of God. Praise him, from whom all blessings flow. The author of our salvation, the great King and accessible father who has dealt bountifully with us.

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. – Psalm 13:6

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
– Psalm 86:12-13

Read: Psalm 86

Write three columns on a piece of paper – hear, speak, anger.
Fill each column with verses from the psalm that reflect each description.
Review the columns and praise God for his favor and kindness toward you.

Further Scripture: Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:31