James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of
your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to
him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…NIV
Have you
been through any trials lately? Are you going through one currently? It often
seems like life in this world can be just one trial after another. When life is
like that, we often get very weary and discouraged. We begin asking God the two
common questions, “Why am I going through this” and “when will this end?” Since
we do not always get these questions answered, we can become even more despondent.
There may
be a better question to ask. One that has a definite answer. “Does it always
have to be this way?” James would say to us an emphatic NO! In this first
chapter of his epistle, he gives us a radically different approach to facing
the trials in our lives.
He starts
by telling us that we should consider it joy when we face trials. “What, is he
crazy? Why in the world would I be joyful to have a trial?” He explains why in
verse 3. A trial is a testing of our faith. It will give us feedback on how
much we really trust in God. He
already knows our level of faith and trust, but we don’t. It is important for
us to find out whether or not we are willing to trust God during the toughest
times of our lives.
The good
news is that James does not just give us an impossible command, and leave us
with no help in how to follow it. In verse 5 he implies that we will need
wisdom to endure a trial with joy. He then tells us that there is a simple
solution to that. Ask God! James guarantees us that if we ask, we will receive God’s wisdom, on one
condition. That condition is, that we trust God to deliver it. He also
guarantees us, that if we doubt that God will give us what He promised, we will not receive it.
You may be
thinking, “That’s not fair. Just because I doubt a little, God won’t give me
wisdom?” Well, let me ask you a question, why would He? It would be a waste of
time since you won’t believe it is from Him. It would be worthless to you,
because you would not respond and act upon that wisdom. You would just go back
and forth like a wave in the sea, trying to figure out if it was really God
giving it to you. It shows a lack of faith in God and His written word when you do
that. So, when you ask God for wisdom,
expect to get it and be ready to act upon it! That is how faith works and
that produces endurance in our lives.
A common
question that comes up is, how goes God deliver that wisdom to us? I believe it
generally comes in four different ways.
1.
Through His Word- The general wisdom given
throughout God’s word will help us to discern His guidance in a particular
situation. Often times we can even find a very specific answer to our need in a
passage of scripture.
Ps 119:105 Your
word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. NASU
2.
Through other believers- though we want to always seek God
first, He may choose to bring you wisdom through another believer.
Prov 11:14 where there is no
guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
NASU
3.
Through The Holy Spirit, speaking to our heart- many
examples of this are found in scripture
Acts 11:12 The Spirit told me to
go with them without misgivings. (Peter speaking)
Acts 13:4 So, being sent out by
the Holy Spirit, they (Paul and Barnabas) went down to Seleucia… NASU
4.
Through arranging of circumstances, sometimes leaving you with no
other options. The story of Jonah is a good example. Also read about Paul’s
experience of being shipwrecked in Acts 27
Finally,
there is a great reward in going through a test of faith, trusting God,
applying the wisdom He brings to you and not giving up. James 1:4 says, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV
What a
promise and what a reward to look forward to! I pray that the next time you
face a trial, you will choose to find the joy of going through that trial, by
trusting God, seeking and acting upon the wisdom He promises to give you and
enduring to the end.
God bless
you,
Coach
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