James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Oh Friends, the Spirit must deem it important that we continue talking today about faith, patience, endurance, trials and testing, maturity and growth in our Christian walk, because he led me right back to James 5. And all that James says there is certainly true. ‘Behold, we count them happy which endure.’ That’s for sure! We definitely consider those who suffer the hardship and stay the course to be blessed indeed. Why? Because we can only do that with the Lord’s help. Unless He looks down on us favourably, we won’t be able to withstand any of the trials. The Psalmist truthfully declares: ‘Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest (instructeth), O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law. That thou mayest give him rest (relief) from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.’ (Ps.94:12-13) Yes mih people, only under the Lord’s direction can we withstand the adversity we’ll face in this world. And Jesus proclaimed it thus in the Beatitudes. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Mat.5:10) Meanwhile James says: ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials). Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience.’ (James (1:2-3) Ah Friends, I know some of us are shaking our heads, wondering how we can consider adversity, joy. But though it’s not easy, it is sensible, since we know that once we’ve overcome it, our faith will be surely strengthened. The Lord will have accomplished a positive work in us. And please note that the mere trial or testing is not what produces the growth, but the victory over them. It’s only when we conquer those difficulties that we truly grow. And James encourages us to confidently tackle the problems and overcome them by saying: ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (has been proved), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.’ (James 1:12) And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name!’ Remember Friends, that difficulties are not necessarily punishment from God for wrongdoing, but oftimes are tests, ways by which we can receive God’s blessings, if we endure them without much complaining. So we should never really seek to escape them, but rather put out our best effort to conquer them, because God will always help us through them. He’s promised to never leave nor forsake us, so though it be hard, even back breaking, let’s promise ourselves to NEVER GIVE UP the fight for Jesus’ kingdom. ‘For ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord.’ Oh yes my people, we’ve certainly heard of Job’s perseverance and fortitude, and also witnessed the Lord’s intentions in his life. When Job heard the news of his family’s demise and the loss of all his life’s work, in spite of his conscious attempts to be righteous and faithful, he didn’t go crazy like many of us would be wont to do. No, he tore off his robe, shaved his head and fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. ‘And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (accused him with wrong). (Job 1: 21-22) He also rebukes his wife when she tells him: ‘Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)? In all this did Job not sin with his lips.’ (Job 2:9-10) Incredible eh Friends! I don’t know if I can live up to Job’s standards, and as I look across the room at the sheet of paper tacked up there that says: ‘The Wisdom of Solomon; the Strength of Samson, and the Patience of Job,’ I have to chuckle at my audacity in my younger days to ask the Lord for those traits. The important thing though, is that when adversity comes, we all try our best, to grin and bear it, to stay focused on the Lord, for He is our only true hope of overcoming those situations. And we know the Lord’s intention, re Job, was to prove to Lucifer, that he was a good and faithful servant. And when he stood strong; ‘the Lord turned the captivity (restored the losses) of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.’ (Job 42:10) Wow! Isn’t that a generous and magnanimous God, my people? For certain sure! But that’s the way our Lord operates. He doesn’t bring or allow anything to come against us for no good reason; the ultimate purpose being to fashion us in the likeness, or as the old people would say, in the spitting image of His Son, Jesus. So when trials come, as they surely will, even one directly after another, or several at once, don’t take them personally, as punishment or some such, but reason that the Lord has a purpose, which is higher than our comprehension. Talk to Him, ask Him for help and guidance through the storms, and prepare yourself to stand strong and see them through successfully by studying the Word, keeping it in your heart and living it. Remember too ‘that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ ‘The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression…’ (Deut.14:18 Those are facts which the Lord Himself stated to Moses long ago, and we know He doesn’t change, so they’re still applicable to day. Oh Friends, ours can often be a rough life, with no apparent rhyme or reason, but that’s why we have faith, that powerful inner feeling that causes us to believe without first seeing. Consequently, we can direct that faith to assure us of the omnipotence of our God and also of the faithfulness of His promises. That’s why we keep reaching out for His mercy and forgiveness, not to mention His free grace that offers salvation and eternal life. He is the One, True God, and He is in control at all times. He wrote the Master Plan for the universe, which includes a secondary plan for each of our lives. So trust Him, He knows what He’s doing. Please keep believing that. It will certainly stand us all in good stead in the days of trial ahead. Much LOVE!…a life lived for Jesus isn’t easy…but His sacrificial and unconditional LOVE…sure makes it worthwhile…
Oh Friends, the Spirit must deem it important that we continue talking today about faith, patience, endurance, trials and testing, maturity and growth in our Christian walk, because he led me right back to James 5. And all that James says there is certainly true. ‘Behold, we count them happy which endure.’ That’s for sure! We definitely consider those who suffer the hardship and stay the course to be blessed indeed. Why? Because we can only do that with the Lord’s help. Unless He looks down on us favourably, we won’t be able to withstand any of the trials. The Psalmist truthfully declares: ‘Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest (instructeth), O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law. That thou mayest give him rest (relief) from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.’ (Ps.94:12-13) Yes mih people, only under the Lord’s direction can we withstand the adversity we’ll face in this world. And Jesus proclaimed it thus in the Beatitudes. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Mat.5:10) Meanwhile James says: ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials). Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience.’ (James (1:2-3) Ah Friends, I know some of us are shaking our heads, wondering how we can consider adversity, joy. But though it’s not easy, it is sensible, since we know that once we’ve overcome it, our faith will be surely strengthened. The Lord will have accomplished a positive work in us. And please note that the mere trial or testing is not what produces the growth, but the victory over them. It’s only when we conquer those difficulties that we truly grow. And James encourages us to confidently tackle the problems and overcome them by saying: ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (has been proved), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.’ (James 1:12) And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name!’ Remember Friends, that difficulties are not necessarily punishment from God for wrongdoing, but oftimes are tests, ways by which we can receive God’s blessings, if we endure them without much complaining. So we should never really seek to escape them, but rather put out our best effort to conquer them, because God will always help us through them. He’s promised to never leave nor forsake us, so though it be hard, even back breaking, let’s promise ourselves to NEVER GIVE UP the fight for Jesus’ kingdom. ‘For ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord.’ Oh yes my people, we’ve certainly heard of Job’s perseverance and fortitude, and also witnessed the Lord’s intentions in his life. When Job heard the news of his family’s demise and the loss of all his life’s work, in spite of his conscious attempts to be righteous and faithful, he didn’t go crazy like many of us would be wont to do. No, he tore off his robe, shaved his head and fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. ‘And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (accused him with wrong). (Job 1: 21-22) He also rebukes his wife when she tells him: ‘Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)? In all this did Job not sin with his lips.’ (Job 2:9-10) Incredible eh Friends! I don’t know if I can live up to Job’s standards, and as I look across the room at the sheet of paper tacked up there that says: ‘The Wisdom of Solomon; the Strength of Samson, and the Patience of Job,’ I have to chuckle at my audacity in my younger days to ask the Lord for those traits. The important thing though, is that when adversity comes, we all try our best, to grin and bear it, to stay focused on the Lord, for He is our only true hope of overcoming those situations. And we know the Lord’s intention, re Job, was to prove to Lucifer, that he was a good and faithful servant. And when he stood strong; ‘the Lord turned the captivity (restored the losses) of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.’ (Job 42:10) Wow! Isn’t that a generous and magnanimous God, my people? For certain sure! But that’s the way our Lord operates. He doesn’t bring or allow anything to come against us for no good reason; the ultimate purpose being to fashion us in the likeness, or as the old people would say, in the spitting image of His Son, Jesus. So when trials come, as they surely will, even one directly after another, or several at once, don’t take them personally, as punishment or some such, but reason that the Lord has a purpose, which is higher than our comprehension. Talk to Him, ask Him for help and guidance through the storms, and prepare yourself to stand strong and see them through successfully by studying the Word, keeping it in your heart and living it. Remember too ‘that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ ‘The Lord is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression…’ (Deut.14:18 Those are facts which the Lord Himself stated to Moses long ago, and we know He doesn’t change, so they’re still applicable to day. Oh Friends, ours can often be a rough life, with no apparent rhyme or reason, but that’s why we have faith, that powerful inner feeling that causes us to believe without first seeing. Consequently, we can direct that faith to assure us of the omnipotence of our God and also of the faithfulness of His promises. That’s why we keep reaching out for His mercy and forgiveness, not to mention His free grace that offers salvation and eternal life. He is the One, True God, and He is in control at all times. He wrote the Master Plan for the universe, which includes a secondary plan for each of our lives. So trust Him, He knows what He’s doing. Please keep believing that. It will certainly stand us all in good stead in the days of trial ahead. Much LOVE!…a life lived for Jesus isn’t easy…but His sacrificial and unconditional LOVE…sure makes it worthwhile…
SCRIP-BITS 