Scripture
James 1:1-12 ESV James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. (2) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (4) And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (9) Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, (10) and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (11) For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (12) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Observation
Have you ever asked God the question, "Why Me?" Have you ever asked yourself or loved ones?
Everyone undergoes tests in life – tests to get driver’s licenses, tests to pass a math test, tests to meet sales goals, etc. At times, tests turn into trials such as cancer, life-changing accidents or the loss of a loved one. Are tests small trials? Or are trials big tests? This passage of Scripture answers to the age old question "Why Me" with four answers to that question.
1) So that you might be transformed.
2) So that you might trust in God's wisdom
3) So that you might trust in God's provision
4) So that you might live for your reward.
Application
God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness! Through this process of trials and victories God enables you to begin to take joy in what makes Him happy. He doesn’t want to take your happiness. He wants to grow it. As long as possessions and accomplishments make you happy your happiness will fade. When you get to the point that the things that make God happy make you happy your happiness will be eternal. That’s what God wants for us, eternal happiness. Our Faith does not endure in spite of trials. Our faith endures because of trials.
Prayer
Father, allow me to recognize my need for these tests and be transformed during times of trial. May you be glorified in my response.
James 1:1-12 ESV James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. (2) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (4) And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (9) Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, (10) and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. (11) For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (12) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Observation
Have you ever asked God the question, "Why Me?" Have you ever asked yourself or loved ones?
Everyone undergoes tests in life – tests to get driver’s licenses, tests to pass a math test, tests to meet sales goals, etc. At times, tests turn into trials such as cancer, life-changing accidents or the loss of a loved one. Are tests small trials? Or are trials big tests? This passage of Scripture answers to the age old question "Why Me" with four answers to that question.
1) So that you might be transformed.
2) So that you might trust in God's wisdom
3) So that you might trust in God's provision
4) So that you might live for your reward.
Application
God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness! Through this process of trials and victories God enables you to begin to take joy in what makes Him happy. He doesn’t want to take your happiness. He wants to grow it. As long as possessions and accomplishments make you happy your happiness will fade. When you get to the point that the things that make God happy make you happy your happiness will be eternal. That’s what God wants for us, eternal happiness. Our Faith does not endure in spite of trials. Our faith endures because of trials.
Prayer
Father, allow me to recognize my need for these tests and be transformed during times of trial. May you be glorified in my response.
