MORNING MANNA 8-1-21
TROUBLES, TRIALS, AND TREASURE
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”- James 1:2-4
No one likes tough times. Troubles, trials, and tribulation are not enjoyable. However, since we can’t escape them we must learn to endure them. One of the first lessons we need to learn is that although they aren’t pleasing they can be profitable. If we are to make any sense out of our suffering we must view them from that perspective. Failing to see any benefit will cause us to miss the blessing and become bitter rather than better. We need to resign ourselves to the fact that in the school of Christ there are lessons that can only be learned through suffering, and God doesn’t hesitate to put us to the test. Caring more for us than we do for ourselves, God appoints or allows things to happen that we would never choose ourselves.And although we may mourn we must not murmur. But there is more to it than that. Our text tells us that we are to “count it all joy”.
The first question that comes to our mind is, “How?” How is it possible to be joyful during times like these? Anticipating that question, God gives us the answer. He directs James to add these words – “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” That is a mere summation of the ways in which we profit from our pain. The Bible speaks of several different reasons why tough times are allowed into our lives.
It isn’t my present purpose to give you a list of the reasons, I simply want you to remind you that there is a reason – a good reason. And knowing it is by divine design that ought to be reason enough for us to rejoice while we are going through tough times. God doesn’t make any mistakes and He is never unjust. We are wise to accept whatever He allows and if we will “Count it all joy” as He commands we will find the strength to endure anything – regardless of how tough the times are. And believe it or not, as a result we often find treasure in our trials.- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
