Week 32
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him.”
When trials come, the effect upon us is dramatic and life-impacting. Our emotions go quirky, and our thoughts become so jumbled that we hardly know what to think or what to do. Sometimes the emotional pain becomes so great that we are immobilized into inactivity and terrifying fear.
What can a Christian do in such circumstances? What ought we to do? What does God call us to do? The Bible in James 1:12 answers these questions clearly and decisively – we must remain steadfast in trial; we must stand firmly in the test.
This is harder than it appears. If the winds of trial become terribly strong, then we will feel they will blow us aside and off course. If the weight of hardship becomes so heavy, we will sometimes feel that we will be crushed under the load. In such cases, we must do all that we can to remain steadfast and stand firmly in the hour of our testing. The day will pass, and the joyful and soft sunshine of God’s favor will come back. It may take a while, but divine mercy always comes in ways that will both surprise and delight us.
So, how might we stand and remain firm in days of trial and testing? We must stay in the Word of God, meditating on God’s truths for our lives. We must pray diligently pleading with our heavenly Father for His care and providential oversight. We must worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, seeking to praise and glorify His name. And we must walk in obedience to Christ, following the guidance of the teachings of the Scripture. And, we must remain full of faith and hope in the promises of God, promises that cannot fail or be broken.
Oh, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us stand fast, let us stay firm, and let us endure well these difficult days in which we live. The Lord is with us, His promises belong to us, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit will apply His sovereign and all-sufficient grace to us. Let us not flag or fail in the hour of our duty and holy responsibility. Let us do our best to do the best we can. We are the people of God; we are His servants in a land of great need. Instead of giving up and giving in, let us press on in the strength of Christ for His glory and the on-going work of His kingdom. Soon, God will crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).
Prayer: Dear Lord, I feel like I want to quit, but I pray that You will give me strength to press on. I want to stand fast in Your truth and grace for my soul’s benefit and Your glory. Please grant me Your strength to do just that. Amen.