Count it All Joy
Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to be filled with your love. Amen.
Read James 1:1-18
Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.
Respond with a prayer to God.
This instruction to “count it pure joy” when we are in the midst of an awful trial seems impossible, humanly speaking. The command is to “count” it as joy, is not necessarily to feel wonderful about the circumstance we are in. I don’t think any of us enjoys some of the awful things that are thrown at us. But joy is in knowing and being sure that hardships will produce in us what nothing else can. For the believer, these things are used to increase our faith and perseverance. Faith is absolutely necessary, for without it, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When we maintain faith in the midst of troubles, and believe what God says without seeing it, we are given credit for it by God (Genesis 15:6). This is what we should keep in mind when we think of joy in the midst of troubles, for the faith they produce is priceless to us, and has value beyond anything here on this earth (1 Peter 1:7).
There are other reasons for counting it joy during a trial in this passage of scripture. There is wisdom promised, if asked for in faith, and not wavering. Perseverance will pay off in the end, as it will be richly rewarded by God.
We must think of Jesus when we are troubled. For although He is God, He put aside His divine nature and emptied Himself of everything to be as human as we are, yet without sin. His pain, suffering and humiliation are beyond anything we will ever have to face. In Hebrews, it says He did it all for the joy that was set before Him, when His purpose for coming was complete. He stayed the course and willingly went to the cross and died for all of humanity. The joy for Him was due to what He was accomplishing for us, paying the debt we owed and could not pay. He became the “first fruits,” being raised to life once again. Because He is alive, we too will live if we accept this undeserved and indescribable gift He offers of salvation. He loves us that much! “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
My verse: James 1:13, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
Yep! Sometimes I want it because I want it, and I want my own way! The things of this world can be so appealing. I catch myself thinking, “If only I could do this or that, or have a certain something, I would be happy,” or “Others seem to have so much fun, and I’m missing out.” My own desires lure and tempt me to not be content. Everything in this world is temporary. We have family and friendships we thought would last forever, and we find that we’ve grown apart or are separated by loss. The exciting and fun times we feel we missed out on come and go for the participants as well. New cars, clothes and furniture are nice for a while, but they wear out or go out of style. We chase after the wind when we are not looking up to Jesus, who has promised us that everyone in His Kingdom will have a new body that will not die, and nothing will ever wear out or fade.
Oh Lord, you have given me more than I need, and I am thankful. May my desires be aligned with your kingdom and will, and not my own.
1 Comment. Leave new
My verse: James 1:17 “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
My response: One of my deepest joys is this. That You, Creator of the heavens and the earth, do not change like shifting shadows. You are You. True and Right and Pure and Good and Lovely and Magnificent and … my very own Abba-Father – because of Your mercy. And You won’t change. I rest in that with deep contentment and gratitude.