"Consider It Pure Joy..." James 1:2-8
This past weekend I felt drawn to the first chapter of James. James wrote to people in anguish—to those who had fallen into "various trials." Even though they had fallen into these they had no control over them. No doubt if they could have bypassed them they would have. But trials have been set before all of us. They are the vegetables that the Father puts on our plates and says, "Eat." It is not my natural reaction to respond to eggplant with joy. Brussels sprouts do not rank highly on my list either. How does one find joy while eating these things?
James tells us that we can consider it pure joy when we face various trials, for we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Now as a teacher at our school I have to give our students tests. It is always my desire that my students do well. It is my way of knowing whether or not they have really learned the material (and how effective I’ve been as a teacher). God gives us tests as well. The subject He is teaching us is faith. Indeed, without faith it is impossible to please God. How does God test us to see how much faith we have or how much we have grown in faith? He gives us trials. He tests us to see what we are really made of. He puts us through the ringer to show us what we really are. All the while He sees the finished product!
Now James tells us to rejoice because we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance is that character quality that keeps going no matter what. "When the going gets tough, the tough keep going." James says that we can rejoice because not only is perseverance a good attribute to have, but it is necessary for us to become mature and complete. God wills that each of us has the perseverance of His Son Jesus. At the end of the course, James tells us that we will be "lacking in nothing." We will be strong, healthy, mature and complete…like Christ! Now that is something to be joyful about!
Moreover, God has promised wisdom for anyone going through trials who will ask for it. We may not be able to prevent falling into various trials, but we can be assured that God will give us sufficient wisdom to go through them with flying colors…if we will ask Him for the wisdom that we need. But James goes on to say that we must ask in faith without doubting. The one who asks for wisdom but then doubts is like the surf of the ocean, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect anything but seasickness!
So maybe, like me, you’ve fallen into various trials lately. You’ve been rolling around the Brussels sprouts on your plate wishing they’d disappear. My suggestion: eat them. Ask God for the joy that comes by His Spirit when we believe that our trials are for a good purpose. Seek His wisdom even as you chew and swallow and believe that He delights in giving it to you. Consider it pure joy! Even Brussels sprouts have their place in the life of grace!
Pastor Daryl
James tells us that we can consider it pure joy when we face various trials, for we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Now as a teacher at our school I have to give our students tests. It is always my desire that my students do well. It is my way of knowing whether or not they have really learned the material (and how effective I’ve been as a teacher). God gives us tests as well. The subject He is teaching us is faith. Indeed, without faith it is impossible to please God. How does God test us to see how much faith we have or how much we have grown in faith? He gives us trials. He tests us to see what we are really made of. He puts us through the ringer to show us what we really are. All the while He sees the finished product!
Now James tells us to rejoice because we know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance is that character quality that keeps going no matter what. "When the going gets tough, the tough keep going." James says that we can rejoice because not only is perseverance a good attribute to have, but it is necessary for us to become mature and complete. God wills that each of us has the perseverance of His Son Jesus. At the end of the course, James tells us that we will be "lacking in nothing." We will be strong, healthy, mature and complete…like Christ! Now that is something to be joyful about!
Moreover, God has promised wisdom for anyone going through trials who will ask for it. We may not be able to prevent falling into various trials, but we can be assured that God will give us sufficient wisdom to go through them with flying colors…if we will ask Him for the wisdom that we need. But James goes on to say that we must ask in faith without doubting. The one who asks for wisdom but then doubts is like the surf of the ocean, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect anything but seasickness!
So maybe, like me, you’ve fallen into various trials lately. You’ve been rolling around the Brussels sprouts on your plate wishing they’d disappear. My suggestion: eat them. Ask God for the joy that comes by His Spirit when we believe that our trials are for a good purpose. Seek His wisdom even as you chew and swallow and believe that He delights in giving it to you. Consider it pure joy! Even Brussels sprouts have their place in the life of grace!
Pastor Daryl
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