James 1:1-4
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the Twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full efect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Do the trials and testing in my life equal steadfastness?
These past many months have been a time of trials and testing for all of us. With Covid and political upheaval, this time has been one for the record books. So, what have these trials and testing done for us? What have they produced? Steadfastness?
Steadfastness means to be stable. Stable faith is what we seek. Later in this chapter, James connects doubting with being doubleminded and unstable. Cr. V.6-8
This year has shown a light on my weaknesses like never before. And because of it, I have run to the Lord Jesus more often. I am becoming more steadfast in my faith because of it.
Jesus has become more of my treasure. Jesus has become more precious. Eternal things have become more important. My faith has become more refined and I long for God’s eternal rule more than ever. Earthly things are fading in their importance and eternity is replacing them. Because of Jesus we lack nothing.
This has become my reality. How about you? What have the trials and testing done for your faith? is it ‘stabilizing’ your faith?
Prayer: Father, make this growing closer to You more of a reality every day in the coming months. Let the things of this world fade away and let Your Kingdom shine brighter and brighter in my life and the world. Build up my faith and make it steadfast no matter what lies ahead. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making all this possible through your sacrifice for us on the cross and your resurrection from the dead. Because you live, I live! Praise you! Amen.