November 25, 2025 - James 1

James begins his letter with “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 effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-4).  He adds, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial” (1:12).  James surely is writing about the suffering Christians face as they live faithfully in a fallen world.  Satan is against us. The world hates us.  Even our own flesh fights against us.  Paul wrote that we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down (2 Cor 4:8,9).  But we are not defeated.  We don’t enjoy troubles, pain, and disappointment.  In fact, we are so recoil from such things that even with minor setbacks, we are likely to refer to them as “crises.”  But so much that we think is so terrible, that is, just the little daily inconveniences, is not what James is writing about.  On the other hand, there’s a principle here that, I think, applies to every hardship we face, whether because we suffer for our faith at the hands of unbelievers or are merely inconvenienced by a storm or a flat tire. That principle is that we always find ourselves running to God and resting in him, whether the trial is big or small (What else could James mean by "trials of various kinds" but that some will be big and some will be small?).   And every time we have a need and God meets that need, we are strengthened in our faith and further enabled to persevere in the future.

All my hope on God is founded;

he doth still my trust renew.

Me through change and chance he guideth,

only good and only true.

God unknown,

he alone

calls my heart to be his own.

Daily doth th’ Almighty giver

bounteous gifts on us bestow;

his desire our soul delighteth,

pleasure leads us where we go.

Love doth stand

at his hand;

joy doth wait on his command.   -- Joachim Neander (1899)