“It really is a joy”...........

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

The first thing that James says to Christians about trials, is “count it all joy”.......the Phillips translation of the Bible says it this way, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” Or to consider it an opportunity for joy.

The phrase “count it all joy” means to consider, to think it through to it’s logical conclusion, just the way you would if you were working out a math problem. There is a right sequence to go through in the problem, and it comes to right ending. That’s the meaning here. We are to look at trial, and then consider what it’s going to bring into our lives. It’s a matter of Joy.

So as Christians, this is how we are to, and how we can, and how we ought to regard the trials ( and even the temptations ) that come into our lives. This is contrary to how we feel, and it’s not my first reaction, but, it’s how our Father directs us. We are to welcome them as friends.

A true friend will not hurt you, and trials ( while they can be very painful to say the least ) are not going to hurt us when it’s all said and done, but rather help us and encourage us in our walk with the Lord. Trials in that sense can become our friends.

As we go through James 1, it will become apparent to us why we can welcome them as friends.....but suffice to say, they will bring benefit into our lives.

Please take a moment to consider what is said by way of explanation in James 1:3. “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

Trials will produce something very helpful in our lives. Patience. That’s what the Lord gives us as we walk through a trial with Him. Let’s pray.

Lord, Your Word is like nothing else in the world. You speak right to our hearts and minds, and You tell us the truth, and here You tell us about trials, and what they will bring into our lives, and how we ought to look at them, and understand them. Thank You for that Lord. And, help us to take Your Word to heart, and to put it into application. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We can be completely sure of God’s Word.

2. What He says to us is precisely correct and true.

3. The subject of trials and temptations is important.

4. This is God’s counsel to us about trials.

5. Looking back on your trials don’t you see how they do help us?

6. God will get you through any trial.

7. Blessings of Grace, Power and Peace to you.