James 1: 2- 4 2 Consider
it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that
the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its
perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.…
Luke 21:19 Stand
firm, and you will win life.
Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Matthew Henry's
Concise Commentary 1:1-11 Christianity teaches men to be joyful
under troubles: such exercises are sent from God's love; and trials in the way
of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care,
in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us:
whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When
the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our
Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the removal of
affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not want
wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in
managing his affairs? Here is something in answer to every discouraging turn of
the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If,
after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall
not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it shall be given. A mind that
has single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and
that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will
continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions. When our
faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness
in our words and actions. This may not always expose men to contempt in the
world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of life is such as to
hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice
in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind.
Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the
grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises
which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing
enjoyments.
Each day has a pop quiz. And some seasons are final
exams. Brutal, sudden pitfalls of stress, sickness, or sadness. What
is the purpose of the test? James 1:3-4 says, “For when your faith is tested,
your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is
fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”
God hasn’t forgotten you. Just the opposite. He has
chosen to train you. The Hebrew verb for test comes from a word
that means “to take a keen look at; to choose.” Dismiss the notion that
God does not see your struggle. On the contrary, God is fully
engaged. He is the Teacher; we are the students. Trust His
training. You’ll get through this. He can make something good out of
your mess!
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