Today's Scripture
James 1:1-12 God’s Team
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. 6 But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7, 8 for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Poverty and Riches
9 Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, 10 and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.
Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
RJ's Devotion
What does the passage say?
V. 1 James’ greeting to the followers
V. 2-4 When we encounter trials and turbulences in life, don’t be dismayed by the circumstance, but look forward to seeing what God brings out of this situation.
V. 5-8 Ask, in confidence, to the Lord who will give you everything to overcome this difficulty. Asking in faith also reflects our trust in the Lord.
V. 9-12 Do not compare with others, on what I do not have. What I really need to ask from God is patience.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
No one wants to face trials in life. However, the truth of life is ‘no one cannot live without trials.’
The world brings storms in our lives, and it isn’t pleasant. That is the reason why James’ exhortation to the followers is so refreshing.
Ask for wisdom from God to not only overcome the trials but also use this event as an opportunity to mature us in our faith of God.
This the translation of this verse in the Message Bible, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (V. 2-4 The Message).
In v. 12, the Message Bible says, “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life” (v. 12 The Message).
We learn what we need to pray. Not for the trials to pass by, but when the trial comes, that we are to have the maturity in faith to see it as an opportunity to dive deeper in our faith and relationship with our Lord.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your love in our lives. Not because everything is peaceful, but because you are with us renewing us, daily, with your Spirit. We pray to you to add more of your wisdom, so we may continue to grow in trusting in you only. In Christ Name, AMEN.
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