"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING"
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who
endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the
crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Some explanatory thoughts:
1. First of all, there is a blessing in store for the these persons.
2. The man or woman spoken here, is the one who endures temptation, or trials of some type.
3. These temptations, trials, may come
in many forms. For example, it could be those who endure the suffering
of some type of physical infirmity, or having to live through a bad
marriage, or some type of emotional trial that is no fault of their own.
It could be because they suffer because of their Christian Testimony.
Or just any type of suffering.
4. The blessing is called "The crown of life"
5. The Lord may allow you to suffer down
here in some way, and He will help you endure, and when you get to
heaven, He is going to reward you with a very special crown.
6. Jesus said, in Matt 6:25 “Therefore I
say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you
will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more
than food and the body more than clothing?
A prayer for those being tempted, tried, and suffering:
Lord, You never, ever said in Your Word,
that our lives would be peaches and cream so to speak. In fact, You
told us just the opposite. That in this world we would have tribulation,
and, You said to be of good cheer because You have overcome the world.
Thank You for telling us the truth, and thank You for overcoming this
world, and thank You for what You have in store for us.
Two quotes about suffering and reward:
Suffering does not separate us from God and His Love.
Sin separates us from God.
Thomas Aquinas wrote:
O saving Victim, opening wide,
The gate of heaven to man below,
Our foes press on from every side,
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
