James 1:2-6

James 1:2-6 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (5) 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. (6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

In verses 2-4 we see that James has a focus on the spiritual work that trials will accomplish, not on how painful, distressing, or unfair life has become because of the trials he faces. He was looking forward to the work that God was doing in His life. Do we have eyes that look for Jesus? Do we have ears that hear the Spirit speaking in His still small voice? Do we expect, through the good times and difficult times to see our God and to become closer to Him through them?

How can we count it joy in a trial? We must learn to see what God sees. God sees the finished work of Christ that has provided a way for us to be conformed to His image. God sees us as righteous, covered in the blood of His sacrificial love. God sees us as His children. God wants to see us growing up and becoming more like Him. Do we want to see that too? We can count our trial a joy because it draws us closer to our God. We can count our trial a joy because it shows us that we are weak and He alone is strong, worthy to be held on to. We can count our trial a joy because of what the Father has already done for us, giving us a path through His Son to abundant life here on Earth and eternal life in Heaven with Him.

Our trials are that which our Master uses to whittle away that which is us, and make us into the work of art that He intends us to be, His poema - His workmanship. Our trials are the tools the Father uses to bring us to simple loving obedience, which is the joy of any parent. God wants to bring us to a place of maturity and completion in Him. We will not get there through eager devotion, Bible study, or long hours of prayer. Those things are the requisite foundations in our relationship with Him, yes. However, we only get to maturity through learning to trust God in the storm.

Hebrews 5:7-9 who, in the days of His [Jesus'] flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, (8) though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (9) And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Jesus was heard in the garden because He sought the Father with all His heart and submitted to Him in awesome reverence. Even though He was the Son of God, He still "learned" how to trust His Father as He submitted to His perfect will. Jesus would cry that night, "Not my will but Your will be done!" This perfect and complete submission to the Father, at whatever exepense there was to His own self and future, proved His deep faith and "maturity". He didn't need to learn in the sense of knowledge, but He did learn in the sense of experiencing the act of submitting to One over Himself (as He placed Him so). Jesus had complete respect for and trust in the Father, and was competely abandoned to His will.

At any point in this story of Christ's submission, can we see ourselves there? Do we, through our worst demon tossed tempest of trial submit completely and trust the will of the Father? Are we abandoned to God in experience rather than knowledge alone? True faith and maturity can come no other way. The Father wants us to grow in our faith and trust in Him. When we submit to the Father, is there anything He will not do through us? Is there anything He cannot overcome, any problem too big, any demon too strong, any weakness too withered. No! He is Almighty God and if we are wise we will submit to the Father and be led to places through which no man has ever trod! Are you desireous and prepared to seek out the endless height and width and length and depth of God? How much do you want to know Him, by experience? How much do you look for Him to reveal Himself to you?

Do you lack wisdom to know or desire to see? James goes on to tell us to ask for that wisdom and doubt it not. Why should we not doubt? Because God really wants to give us that wisdom. Wisdom to seek Him above and in all things -whether they be blessing or trial, whether we be comforted or destroyed, whether we be shamed or lifted up. Do we want Him. Are we hungry for Him? Are we thirsty for the love and glory of God?

Seek Him while it is day, the night is coming! Seek Him and He will open up to us. Are we desparate for His filling, for His guidance, for His loving arms around us? We come to this relationship first through the sacrifice of Christ, but then through the walk of trust, and often in trial. Count it joy when you fall into trial, knowing that God will bring faith and patience and completion of that which He apprehended you for!