Day 154: March 20, 2026 – James 1-5 and Psalm 47

I always find it curious that Luther thought that James did not believe in the biblical cannon. He was very uncomfortable with the role that works plays in the author’s language, a role that is without compromise. I like it because it leaves no room for doubt that if you want to be a follower of Jesus you have to follow in more than just speech. You have to follow in action as well. The leading theme is that faith is fully revealed, almost only revealed, by the works that we do. Faith without works is dead. How can you not like that?

Psalm 47 is a classic which describes the celebration that all of the earth ought to have because God is king. It is a type of enthronement psalm that allows us to see God reigns over us and is far above all of our politics. It is a good psalm for today when geopolitically we are quite a mess at this time.