Most great war movies have a point where the “heroes” are being defeated or pressed into a corner. This is Helm’s Deep, or the Battle of the Bulge, or any number of famous battles, real or not. The “heroes” are being pushed back and have nowhere to turn. This leads them to “the Stand” and a time when they will push back, with all that they have to change things. They will give one last ditch effort to make the enemy disappear and ultimately win! Gandalf will come riding over the hill with the horsemen and the ents will join. The reinforcements or bombers arrive just in time to sweep and make the changes necessary to win. How often are you this way with sin? How often do you resist to the point that suddenly you realize you have nowhere to go – backed into a corner and pressured by the flesh or by Satan?
This passage is describing this. James is telling us to submit to God – or to serve Him and Him alone (remember that much of this book is talking about persecution – so James is saying, “When things don’t go our way… submit to Him”). Then he tells us to resist the devil, and the word used here describes a “last stand” effort. If you ever go through a trial, it will feel like this, I promise. There will be a moment when you feel totally in a corner – backed in and given only one choice – press on and give a last ditch effort; give in and let sin take its toll. James is saying to stand – and then God will come to the rescue! He will be there! So, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, be wretched and mourn and weep! Be broken in tough times and lo and behold – He will be riding over the hill. He will be there to help and to win the battle on your behalf! Amen!
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