“My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of
your faith produces patience.” (JamES 1:2-3 NKJ)
count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of
your faith produces patience.” (JamES 1:2-3 NKJ)
Trials. Don’t you
just hate that word? We can endure (almost) any other circumstance except the
Big T. Anywhere (shopping, the bank, the grocery store, hair-dresser, gas
station, etc); Anytime (day or night, am or pm); Just don’t make it trial time,
and we are happy.
just hate that word? We can endure (almost) any other circumstance except the
Big T. Anywhere (shopping, the bank, the grocery store, hair-dresser, gas
station, etc); Anytime (day or night, am or pm); Just don’t make it trial time,
and we are happy.
And yet, the Apostle
James says, “consider it a joy when you fall into various trials.” Fall into is the correct terminology because
we certainly wouldn’t go looking for trials. And despite James’ exhortation,
trials never seem to be joyous.
James says, “consider it a joy when you fall into various trials.” Fall into is the correct terminology because
we certainly wouldn’t go looking for trials. And despite James’ exhortation,
trials never seem to be joyous.
We spend sleepless
nights fretting about trials. We ruin perfectly good days grousing about them.
No one wants to talk to us because we persistently recount our tales of woe.
Joy about trials? I don’t think so, pastor! Who are you kidding? And on we go without
ever seriously considering this test of faith.
nights fretting about trials. We ruin perfectly good days grousing about them.
No one wants to talk to us because we persistently recount our tales of woe.
Joy about trials? I don’t think so, pastor! Who are you kidding? And on we go without
ever seriously considering this test of faith.
Why can’t these
tests pass quickly? You know, like a school exam. Answer 25 questions and the
thing is over. Bing, bam thank you ma’am. But the trial of faith has to
overcome our know-it-all attitudes, our obstinate stubbornness, our petty
demands, our lack of patience, our refusal to consider another point of view,
and so forth. And a few questions won’t do it.
tests pass quickly? You know, like a school exam. Answer 25 questions and the
thing is over. Bing, bam thank you ma’am. But the trial of faith has to
overcome our know-it-all attitudes, our obstinate stubbornness, our petty
demands, our lack of patience, our refusal to consider another point of view,
and so forth. And a few questions won’t do it.
In order for us to
“pass the test,” we have to continue in faith, because the trial is about our
faith. As we hold our steady course of faith, something called perseverance
develops in us. In addition, the message is effectively imprinted on our soul,
and our attitudes and behaviors change.
“pass the test,” we have to continue in faith, because the trial is about our
faith. As we hold our steady course of faith, something called perseverance
develops in us. In addition, the message is effectively imprinted on our soul,
and our attitudes and behaviors change.
If we change our
perspective about trials and consider that God is fine tuning our faith, we may
also see the joy at the end of the journey. Consider that prior to our personal
trials; we have been a trial for God. Think about it. How many times have we tested
His patience . . . goodness . . . mercy . . . and grace? But he persevered
through his trials to fine tune our faith that we might become all he wants us
to be. Joy! We may weep for a night but joy comes in the morning!
perspective about trials and consider that God is fine tuning our faith, we may
also see the joy at the end of the journey. Consider that prior to our personal
trials; we have been a trial for God. Think about it. How many times have we tested
His patience . . . goodness . . . mercy . . . and grace? But he persevered
through his trials to fine tune our faith that we might become all he wants us
to be. Joy! We may weep for a night but joy comes in the morning!
Dear Father, thank
you for our present trials and the resulting patience. Empower us to persevere
in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
you for our present trials and the resulting patience. Empower us to persevere
in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
Persevere in faith
today,
today,