Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
6 21 2024

Audio Version

We have begun a four week series on the book of James.  He says,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds”. (James 1:2)   
What kind of mindset does that take?  Who thinks like that?

James has a ready answer: “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. “let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The reason why James invites us to consider it pure joy when we face trials is because through the discipline of perseverance, God shapes your character and grows you into maturity.  We come to see and know that this is not the end.  There’s a song,  What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.  It is a statement we all understand. But rarely choose to walk into. 

Maybe James has in mind when the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tested by Satan. The reward for Jesus’ perseverance was the healing of creation and the defeat of the evil one.
That is certainly something to shout about…be joyful about. 

Maybe James had in mind when Jesus told his persecuted disciples, “Stand firm, and you will win life.”  That’s the prize isn’t it?  We win life.  Eternal life.   The prize for enduring…believing… holding fast.

Maybe James had conversations with Peter and Paul about perseverance because they say the same thing. In his second letter, Peter says that perseverance leads to godliness.
Likewise, in his letter to the Romans.  Paul says “we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” That is why we glory in our sufferings, and persevere when we are tested,
because through it all God is somehow refining his children,
making us mature and complete, not lacking in anything. James 1 2-4

God forms our character through suffering.  We endure like Jesus did because we’ve read the final chapter.  We know we win because he won it for us.  So how can we remain in our despair over…….  How can we remain paralyzed in the fear of the unknown…prophesying our own doom… predicting the worst possible outcome?    James, Peter, and Paul each had a deep trust
that their trials would not have the final word.

James knows this is hard. He isn’t stupid. He knows perseverance isn’t enough. That’s why James then says, in 1:5  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  Perseverance on its own isn’t sufficient if you don’t have wisdom. When you are being dragged through the mud, you need wisdom. Wisdom is what enables you to see through the mud, and see how God is forming you through your suffering. That kind of wisdom is a gift from God.

What will it take for us to realize He has not left us helpless or impoverished?  So is it a lack of money that is the biggest culprit?  No, I think it is trust.  Do we gain ground by focusing on the problem?  Is that how we get out of trouble?  Or is the issue…trust?  Faith that all things work for the good of those who love God?  

Proverbs 2:2-8, tells us to look for wisdom with the same passion that you’d look for hidden treasure… Prov 2:9 says “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—and find every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

Simply enduring while you’re being dragged through a cactus field isn’t going to be sufficient. Eventually, you’ll get worn down. Eventually, you’ll get cynical. Eventually, you’ll get bitter and jaded and burnt out. Wisdom from God is your protection. Wisdom from God will guard you. Wisdom assures you that God is in control of all of your circumstances. No matter what trial comes your way, wisdom assures you that you are not alone, you are not outside of God’s hand.

Remember that as you ride out the storm, Jesus is shaping you to be mature and complete, perfect, not lacking anything. Eventually, He will calm the storm. It might not be today. It might not be until the dawn of the New Creation, but Jesus will calm the storm.
Wisdom teaches us to hold fast and trust God until that day comes

Portions of this were excerpted and adapted from a Telkwa Community Church bible study on James.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnUDqibR_W4
Carrie Underwood  Because He Lives