Oct 21 2008
strength through trials
Here is a link to today’s reading:
Jesus promises that those who follow him will face suffering. It is a reality of this world and a specific consequence of following Jesus as the King of a new kingdom. Even when we suffer from evil that God did not cause, God can work in the context of that evil to produce good. The only question that remains is whether we will trust that God can use the trials we face to teach us perseverance which will result in maturity.
Today’s Challenge:
What trials are you facing today? How have you chosen to respond to those trials. Are you open to learning even from your suffering? Talk to God about your suffering. God can handle a frank conversation. Ask that God will use your suffering to teach you.
Textual Reflections:
James is a great book. One of its key strengths is that it is remarkably straightforward. In this section he does not get lost in the great theological questions. (Does God cause evil? No. Does God allow evil? Yes.) Instead he jumps straight to the punch line. Consider even trial a joy because God can use this moment to do great things. This is not escapism (trying to avoid pain) or masochism (enjoying pain) or even idealism (pretending it doesn’t really hurt. This is realism. Suffering hurts. Trials are a burden. But God is greater. God can do great things even in great trial.
And the amazing thing is that God can work good out of suffering no matter the cause. Is the suffering my own fault? God can work good through my repentance and God’s grace. Is the suffering the fault of others? God can work good through my forgiveness and long-suffering. Is the suffering for the cause of the kingdom and the king? God can work great good through my perseverance and joy in the Lord.
James is no fool and he has little time for long theological reflection. This is a book written from the trenches of real life. When you suffer, he says, consider it all joy, because your suffering is something that God can work with.
on the walk
-Ethan
[Note: I apologize to my morning readers for two late-morning posts, I should be back on top of my schedule tomorrow.]
What an amazing realization one most come to in light of the fact that God can and will work good, what becomes difficult then is surrending self and waiting expectantly for God to do his thing during whatever our trial may be, but a beautiful picture indeed will emerge, whether it be he continual work in us or some other person he loves. I like the late posts.
pizzakids1