Devotional - September 13, 2022
James 1: 2-4, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
To be perfectly honest, personally, I am still working on this one... For James to claim that trials are a source of one's joy, better yet, pure joy is a bit much. But, that is what he is saying. And, he is saying it to everyone. This letter is one of seven in the Bible, James through Jude, that was sent to everyone and anyone, rather than a specific person or community which is why we call them the general letters. It is also thought to be one of the earlier manuscripts written (48 AD or there about) in our New Testament. You notice it is addressed to both "brothers and sisters" supporting the equality between the two in the early church. Not to mention, trials (temptations) afflict everyone without bias. James uses a technique that is helpful when dealing with difficulty. He reframes it. When we face trials, rather than tumbling further down the hill of negativity , he says consider it pure joy. I know it is tempting to shake your head dismissively, thinking it is not possible, but stay with him for a moment. What is he really asking of you? He is asking you to overcome the situation. Our faith is a faith that was built by folks who believed. They believed in God and what they could do through God (Ro 8:37, 1 John 2:14, Phil 4:13, Matt 14:16). Do you really want to fall victim to your own emotions and lose control every time a trial or temptations arises? At some point, the answer should be no. We get tired of losing our temper, or control over our lives, when certain situations arise and we decide to do something about it. When the situation arises again, we smile, and by the grace of God we say to ourselves, not this time. Practice makes perfect and the issue becomes a past issue. Alan Jones coined the phrase, "we are only as strong as our weakest link." If you are human, you have a lot of weak links. James calls for us to repair them, strengthen them, make them strong. James gives his readers markers and goals to help them along their way. He points out that this kind of work produces perseverance. And yes, it is work. One major deterrent people face in attaining perseverance is the desire to do so. When Jesus speaks to the man laying by the pool seeking, or supposedly seeking, healing He asks the man a question. "Do you want to get well (John 5:6)?" We could also add, "do you really want to change?" Sounds simple, but it is not. Way deep down, we like some of our infirmities. Or, we are tired of dealing with it. So, we accept our lives as is, the good and the evil, and others can as well. James calls to us and says, persevere. Deal with it and enjoy the moment when you overcome the trial. Make yourself more complete and whole, instead of lacking in that area. In the text, the word for trial means you are going to have to prove yourself in that area. Whether it is in a social setting or interpersonal situation, the proof will be determined by how you deal with it. Many refuse to accept this challenge by James because of their past or their hopeless feelings about the present or future. I hope you are not one of them. What James is calling you toward is peace, real peace. The peace that Jesus had (Matthew 8:24) which was a product of His faith and work in this area. A peace that is not situationally based, but is present in every situation.
Pray with me..., Holy God, You call us away from the norms to live as Jesus did, but we try to find other ways. Continue Your work in us Lord, help us to accept others ways of being so we can experience the life You seek to give. Be with our loved ones, bless them in accordance with their needs. Hear us as we pray for our church and lead us O God, that we may be the people you want us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
