Tag: pure joy
Patience: Jesus is coming!
Scripture reading for December 1: James 1-5
James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ and was known to be the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. One of his nicknames was “camel knees” because of time spent in prayer for his flock. His letter encourages faith and works that spring from that faith. He also talks about trials and the need for wisdom and patience.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
It takes an act of faith and a deliberate choice to count being in a trial joy. James encourages us to embrace trials with joy, because we know that they develop perseverance which aids us to grow and mature. When we are children, we are impatient and unable to wait. But the life of a believer requires patience as trials come to test our faith.
“Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door.” James 5:7-9 Farmers regularly must be patient and wait upon God for the needed rains to grow and mature their crops. Our spiritual maturity requires patient endurance through life’s storms. Grumbling is a sign of impatience. God will judge those who are impatient.
“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:10-11) James was always addressing the “brothers” in an encouraging way, appealing to their past knowledge and understanding as Jewish believers. They were familiar with the prophets and their suffering–especially Job, the oldest book of the Bible. Job suffered patiently and God restored him.
“Is anyone in trouble? He should pray.” (James 5:13a) James ends his letter with an encouragement to pray when in trials or trouble. Prayer helps us to persevere and develops patience. Elijah of old prayed and waited on God. God answered him. He will answer us today as well! We must persevere and watch and pray! Jesus is coming! The rains mean harvest! The trials mean more maturity and joy!
Thankful for God’s Testing!
Scripture reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 12-15
Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 13:1-3 “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord God you must follow, . . “
Moses warned the Israelites about false prophets. These might even come with signs and wonders. If they tried to lead the people to worship other god, they were to avoid them and take action to rid the community of these wicked prophets. God would test His people and their love for Him through these so-called prophets who tempted them.
Thankful for testing: We can rejoice in testing when we love God with all our hearts! “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)