Patience (Perseverance) Under Trials

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4, NKJV)

Eugene Peterson in The Message Bible translates these verses in James in this way: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

James wrote in a day when Christians were enduring (and would endure more) persecution. He wanted his readers (and hearers, if we consider James' letter to also be his sermon) to rejoice in trials and tribulations. IT is hard to smile through severe troubles. Tears are the usual response. But it is different with a Christian. He has a burden-bearer, someone who walks alongside and helps to bear any burdens. When we have trials, they help us develop patience (perseverance). It is a fruit of the Spirit, as we see in Galatians 5:22. The result of our patiently bearing up through trials is our own Christian maturity. We either break or grow through trials. James strongly encourages us to see trials as for our own good, to help us develop patience and endurance and to grow toward completeness, so that our faith lacks nothing. When we consider it, this is a very big order for a Christian. We had rather have smooth sailing through life. But rarely is that the situation. One thing we can be certain of: trials do come to the Christian. It is how we handle them, how our faith reacts, that makes the difference.

When I consider my own life in retrospect, I can think of trying times as periods of growth and development in faith. Trials and troubles send us to our knees, humble us, cause us to cry out to God for help. "Through trail to triumph" could well be the Christian's motto, because if we persevere, we come through stronger and more mature. Paul also gave us excellent advice on handling our trials in I Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Do I rejoice in trials? Do I thank God for troubles? Do I see them as blessings that help me to grow into Christian maturity? If I can sincerely answer "Yes" to these questions, I just may be growing into the person God intends for me to be. "Rejoice evermore!" (I Thessalonians 5:16). Let us thank God for and rejoice in trials, for they are for our benefit, helping us to grow into maturity in Christ.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, October 9, 2010

Fear Not and Wait upon the Lord

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” –Psalm 27: 1, 13-14. (KJV. Read Psalm 27).

After our rather intensive look at Psalm 23 over several days, we will now resume looking at others in the “Confidence” Psalms category. Today’s look is at Psalm 27. Another Psalm of David, this one seems to be later than the shepherd period of his life, perhaps while he was king and beset on every side by intrigue, rulership problems and enemies. Whatever calamity David faced, he confessed confidence and hope in the Lord. The Lord is his Light, his Strength, his Deliverer, his Companion, his Teacher, his Guide. Various verses bear out these characteristics of the ever-present God who did not forsake David, regardless of the circumstances. And God has these same blessings for us today.

In this Psalm, as David confidently voices his dependence upon God and prays to Him, we can learn from his example. Several of the verses in this psalm are prayers. Great strength lies in praying the scriptures. As we use God’s Word, praying it back to Him Who gave it, we can be assured we are praying within the will of God. The Word itself can help to alleviate our fears. How meaningful is this prayer: “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path…” (v. 11). All too often we want instantaneous answers to our prayers. In this Psalm, David teaches us an important principle, and he states it twice, which means it is very important, pay attention! “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, upon the Lord” (v. 14). Waiting for answers to our prayers can be a time to strengthen us in our faith, to ready us for the blessings God is preparing for us, and to lead us to be more receptive to the best possible solution for whatever challenge is helping us to grow into a stronger person. After waiting in expectancy, we, as David, will be able to offer sacrifices of joy and praises (v. 6). In the meantime, we are to “be of good courage” for God alone can strengthen the heart.

Waiting can sometimes be hard, especially to persons who are impatient in nature.

Paul the Apostle, like David, knew it was best to patiently wait and give thanks for all things: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you…Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18, 24). Fear not; wait upon the Lord!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, June 9, 2010

In Everything Be Joyful, Pray, Give Thanks?

Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. I Thes. 5:16-18. (NCV)

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. I Thes. 5:16-18. (Msg)

I placed a question mark after the title
Because I admit I don’t understand
How God through Paul could ask us here
To take such an unusual stand:

Filled with joy always, Lord,
Even when death waits in the wings?
Pray and give thanks always, Lord,
Even when weighted with troublous things?

“Always, always,” the Lord replies.
“This is my will for you.
For if joy floods your heart
And praise your lips, I am in your view.”

“Never take your eyes from Me;
Without Me you will be lost
On a sea of troubles too deep and wide;
I must be there for you to cross.”

Then I knew in the night reaches
Joy is possible as His free gift;
And any time I can pray, give thanks,
Then immediately my spirits lift.

“With God all things are possible.”
He can make the hard places bright,
And whatever the ways I go through
I can be joyful through His might.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Saturday, January 9, 2010