Happy Trials
We count them blessed who endure.
James 5:11
James ended his discourse on trials by saying, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation [trials]” (James 1:12). People who successfully endure trials and overcome temptation are truly happy. James is not saying that happiness comes in freedom from trials but in victory over them. There is a big difference. It’s not the shallow joy of the spectator who never experienced conflict; it’s the exuberance of the participant who fought and won. Is your experience the former or the latter?
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 305). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: In the Beatitudes (Mat 5:3-12), it is the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who are persecuted because of righteousness, whom Jesus says will be blessed. James adds that "the man who perseveres under trial" (James 1:12) is blessed as well. Job serves as a great example of how to persevere in faith through trials. The Lord honored Job’s perseverance with multiplied blessings. God's blessings are so much more than just cheap, superficial happiness. They are rewards from God to believers. Those who are blessed by God understand and experience true joy and happiness in this life and in heaven.
Applications: We don't necessarily need to invite hardship and trouble, but when God ordains them in our lives, do not shrink from them. Meet them boldly, knowing that God uses trials as a means of growing us spiritually and to test our faith. Christians who actually endure God's trials and persevere through them, are strengthened in their faith and experience true joy and happiness that unbelievers will never know.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for endurance and perseverance through trials and hardships. Pray for strengthening of my faith. Pray for me to be worthy of God's blessings by demonstrating the characteristics Jesus outlined in the Beatitudes.
Listen to this entry
James 5:11
James ended his discourse on trials by saying, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation [trials]” (James 1:12). People who successfully endure trials and overcome temptation are truly happy. James is not saying that happiness comes in freedom from trials but in victory over them. There is a big difference. It’s not the shallow joy of the spectator who never experienced conflict; it’s the exuberance of the participant who fought and won. Is your experience the former or the latter?
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 305). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: In the Beatitudes (Mat 5:3-12), it is the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who are persecuted because of righteousness, whom Jesus says will be blessed. James adds that "the man who perseveres under trial" (James 1:12) is blessed as well. Job serves as a great example of how to persevere in faith through trials. The Lord honored Job’s perseverance with multiplied blessings. God's blessings are so much more than just cheap, superficial happiness. They are rewards from God to believers. Those who are blessed by God understand and experience true joy and happiness in this life and in heaven.
Applications: We don't necessarily need to invite hardship and trouble, but when God ordains them in our lives, do not shrink from them. Meet them boldly, knowing that God uses trials as a means of growing us spiritually and to test our faith. Christians who actually endure God's trials and persevere through them, are strengthened in their faith and experience true joy and happiness that unbelievers will never know.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for endurance and perseverance through trials and hardships. Pray for strengthening of my faith. Pray for me to be worthy of God's blessings by demonstrating the characteristics Jesus outlined in the Beatitudes.
Listen to this entry
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