TESTINGS AND TRIALS - A Bible study by Ruthie
James 1:2-5 - Profiting from Trials:
TESTINGS AND TRIALS
What is the purpose of testings and trials in our lives?
A Bible study by Ruthie - October 15, 2006
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
MY NOTES
Our brother James tells us to count it all joy when in trials.
The last thing we as Christians want to do when in trial is to count anything joy.
We are suffering, we are hurting, we are in pain, we can barely hold on, but we must have joy: imagine that if you can.
As we stand trembling under the strain with the battle raging on around us, and there seems to be no end in sight,
we pick up our Bible and read in the book of James to count it all joy when falling into various trials!
As we are standing with tears in our eyes, we say, "Joy! How can we have joy?"
The Christian's position is to always stand!
Yet we say, "God, how can I have joy? My husband just left me, or my child is ill or has just died. All of my friends have forsaken me and turned their backs on me. When they saw me hurt, and bleeding they just passed me on by as if they never knew me.
"Why, Lord? Why?
"Our loved ones are walking far away from God. Why must we have joy? Oh Father, how can we count this all joy?"
We feel the compassionate hand of God reach down and stroking our brow, as He wipes away the tears from our eyes.
We then understand we can and will make it somehow through these many trials God has allowed us to go through.
We gain strength as we continue to read the book of James as he tells us that the testing of our Faith produces patience in our lives.
Oh dear Lord, please help us now; this is the hardest fruit to produce, this fruit called patience. It goes on to say to us that we must allow patience to have its perfect work so that we will not be lacking in any good thing. Not only do we have to produce patience but we must let patience have its perfect work.
"Why?" we say.
The answer to that question is that we may be complete, lacking nothing.
We are told that our faith is more precious than gold that perishes, tried by fire. As we suffer through the trials sent our way we are encouraged to know our faith may be found to praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Turn in your Bible to I Peter 5, and you will continue to see God's purposes for allowing trials in our lives.
We are told to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
We are warned to be vigilant and sober, as our enemy is as a roaring lion stalking about seeking whom he might devour.
The key word here is that God is training us to see our enemy in his lack, and our God in His power.
The word to me, as I see it to be, is that satan stalks about AS a roaring lion. It does not say he is a roaring lion - he just acts like one. Our Savior Jesus IS the mighty Lion of Judah and He is able to devour all the intentions of the evil one against GOD’S children - yet we as Christians must resist satan in faith until he lets go.
After we have fought the battle for a season, we find our faith stronger than ever.
God's purpose in allowing trials in our lives is - in verse 10 - to "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle" us.
I have gone through many trials in my life; and have cried many tears, and asked God many questions during my trials. It is because of these testings that I can now reach out to others with the same compassion and comfort God has given to me.
(First Peter 5: 9)
Every Christian goes through trials and testing just as our Lord did here on earth when He came to give His life for us.
We must pick up our cross and follow, we must endure trails, we must die to the world and the flesh, that we might reign with Him in glory.
First Peter 5:6-11:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us[ to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
© 2006 by Ruth Pletcher
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