Learning DAILY

 

James 1:2-4, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

 

I do not remember when the last time I got out of bed with the anticipation of facing trials during the day.  In fact, I don’t remember ever asking to face trials in order to produce patience in my life.  However, I believe the Bible is pretty clear that you and I are going to face trials in our life.  It is also clear that God allows trials and even orchestrates them.  I need to elaborate.

 

David Wilkerson wrote, “God allowed the Israelites to hunger and thirst in the desert – even though he was always faithful to His word and miraculously provided for His people.”  Figuring out why He did this may give us insight as to why we go through trials.  Wilkerson continues his thought.  “The Father led the children of Israel into dire testings for a specific reason: to prepare them to trust His holy Word. Why? Because He was about to take them into a land where they would need absolute confidence in His promises.”

 

David Jeremiah has written, “to count all joy means to appraise one’s situation intelligently, confident of the good that God can do through it.”  The trials or temptations refer to difficulties or pressures in our lives caused by the world around us, the devil, or just our own stupidity.  God uses these things to prove our faith to develop in us perseverance and godly character.  James is telling us we are to face our trials with joy because of the righteous fruit they produce in us as we persevere in faith and hope. 

 

Patience does not require us to just give in to whatever happens but to have a strong determination to endure during the “testing of your faith”. Trials can be a way that God tests our faith.  Scripture does not teach that trials are an indication that God is displeased with us.  Instead, they indicate that God recognizes our faith and is confident in our commitment to Him.  “Perfect” refers to mature or completely developed.  So, the purpose of trials is for Christians to grow into Christlikeness – mature!

 

Christians are often saved and then experience a time of testing – often severe testing.  It is important to understand that faith grows out of adversity.  The choice becomes standing on God’s Word or giving up.  When one stands on the Word, faith occurs.  The more standing occurs, the more faith grows. 

 

Here is an important key to faith: when various trials come, remember all that God has brought you through.  There are so many times God has been faithful to me by keeping me safe from dangers and from taking wrong turns.  When I remember, my faith becomes stronger.  Like the song says, “Every minute, every moment, where I’ve been or where I’m going, even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it there was Jesus!”  So many things have helped my faith growth.  No, I don’t look for trials.  But, when they come, I do all I can to count it all joy and know Jesus will be with me as I go through whatever it is.

Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid; nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

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