Opening Prayer
Father, use your Word to empower me, to give me what I need to faithfully serve you.
Read JAMES 1:12–18
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘By perseverance the snail reached the ark.’1
Think Further
Continuing his introduction, James returns to the issues of trials (v. 12). There is an end goal to persevering through trials. Such a person is ‘blessed’ and promised a ‘crown of life.’ This beatitude tells the community that, despite their circumstances, their perseverance under trial is not a pointless exercise. There is a future hope for all those who love God.
The problem for some of us when going through trials is, of course, the temptation to blame God, questioning his goodness. James will have none of that thinking. If trials lead to sin, that is because of the ‘evil desires…’ within us (see v. 14), which are entirely our responsibility. Note how, in verse 15, James moves from conception through birth, maturity, and death. Evil desires might start small, but if they are nurtured, the end result is not a future hope but a future destiny devoid of such hope. The antidote is given in verses 16–18. Focusing on God’s character helps to keep our minds fixed on the blessing that perseverance under trials will bring.
Have you ever wanted God to explain himself? We want reasons and, if we do not get them, the temptation is to blame God. Rather, our focus needs to be on God’s character and the goal to which we are being led. We might not be feeling ‘blessed’ right now, but that is exactly what James says in this passage. Contrary to the world’s values, God’s blessing does not mean an easy life. Countercultural living means understanding blessing with a completely different mindset. Do you need to reset your thinking about what blessing means in your life?
Apply
Paul wrote, ‘Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.’2 Meditate on the joy that will be yours when you receive your ‘crown.’
Closing prayer
O God, thank you that I can always trust you to help me persevere; whatever are my circumstances, you are with me.
Last Updated on April 4, 2024 by kingstar
