My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (v2)

So how do we “Count it as joy” when we face trials during our life? Well I know I personally found Jesus during the worse time in my life. Maybe you have to? See it depends on the perspective we have in life. Are we living with a temporal perspective, live like there is no tomorrow, eat, drink for tomorrow we die” Or do we live in a eternal perspective? Do we live as we are preparing for Gods Kingdom to come, do we live as we will one day with Christ, in resurrected bodies, glorified and eternal. Trials also meaning adversity, experience of evil, temptations

A few years ago, during the pandemic , I think alot of us can relate to going through a trial or temptation, at my job I was threatened you either get vaccinated or you will be terminated. Thats what I was told, so obviously when I first heard this news I was troubled. Not only did I not want to be forced into taking something I personally didnt believe in, but as a man I needed to support my family. So the natural thing to do is to give in, but I didnt so I leaned into God. And many things happened during this process, there were many people, thousands who lost their job, including doctors, I’m not lying when I say that. But my wife, wrote a religious exemption, I submitted it to the Health System, letting them know my personal beliefs , my faith, and they accepted it

I didn’t know how any of this was going to work out, I thought there was a good chance I was going to be terminated, but I gave it over to God, whatever is His will let is happen. 

I learned this acronym for JOY years ago Jesus Over Yourself

So going back to those trials, we can count it as joy when we go through trials of life, because Jesus is preparing us for the Kingdom to Come. We can count it as joy because we already have victory in Jesus Christ. We can count is all joy because Christ has already overcome the grave, we can count it as joy because of regardless of what happens to us here, our names are already written in the book of life. Jesus Christ should be your Joy not anything else in this world

Think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, they are told you either worship the golden statue of Nebuchandnezzar or you will be thrown into the fire. What was there response? They said God will deliver us, however even if he doesn’t we will never serve your gods. The Hebrew men were faced with the possibility of death, however they considered that pure joy because they had faith God was going to deliver them one way or another. Then remember what happened?

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3)

Jesus was in the fire will the Hebrew men , it states “25“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the[e] Son of God.”” Jesus Christ is in the fire with you today, every trial you face , you are not alone

Testing of Your Faith

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (perseverance, endurance) . (v3)

God will allow some of these trials because its the testing of your faith. How do we know if your faith is real? It’s easy in todays Western world, to confess Jesus Christ as Lord, but is it real? Do we have genuine faith? Do we really love The Lord God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength? Going back the Hebrew men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego) did they really have faith in God? They could have talked the good talk, but they were willing to go into the fire (literally) for their faith. Yeah I would say there faith was genuine

How about you? Have you been thrown into the fire yet? Has your faith been challenged? Have you been told to make a choice, Jesus or the world? The time will come, when we will all be challenged, however instead of dreading this trial, consider it pure joy

Consider what the Aposte Peter says 

Beloved, do not think it strange or suprising concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Again the Apostle Peter says to Rejoice in our trials, why? Because you partake of Christs sufferings. Our Lord suffered and died for you, since our Lord suffered , don’t you think you are going to suffer also? A servant is not greater than their master (John 13:16) If Jesus is your Lord (Master) don’t expect better treatment than your Lord. 

It’s natural for us to say “This is not fair”, why does God allow this? Was it fair when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for our sins? But Christ did it anyone, because He loves us, and has given us eternal life. However if the world is going to crucify the The Lord, don’t be surprised when the world comes after you. 

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. John 15:18

God Is Working on You

But let patience (perseverance)  have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing. (v4)

We often heard the expressions, they are a baby (new) Christian and they are a mature (seasoned) Christian, what is the difference? Well if you have been a Christian long enough, you have gone through various trials already, your faith has been tested and challenged more times than you can count, what is the result? Typically it either builds your faith even stronger for the next storm or it totally destroys the faith of the person.

We think back to when Jesus and the disciples were in the boat, and the great storm came upon them.  What was the initial response of the disciples “Lord, don’t you care we are perishing”? They were going through a trial, and instead of putting their faith in God and they blamed God, can we relate to that?

But what was it that Jesus said to them? Jesus said “Why are you so fearful, How is it that you have no faith”? (Mark 4:40)  And we know that Jesus was in complete control of the storm the entire time, however their faith was being tested. 

The good news is our Lord, even the winds and the waves obey Him. We may be in the storm, we may be going through a trial of testing right now, but God is in complete control. 

Ask God?

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. (5)

Now you might be going through a trial right now, you might be in the fire or storm today, what should you do? Well as the Apostle James says here “if you lack wisdom, ask God” I know I’m personally asking God for answers continually, while the world is looking for answers with AI or technology, why not ask the source of all Creation for answers. 

Remember what Jesus said “7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. “ (Matthew 7:7-8)

This is another reason for trials, think about it? When we are going through something, we have a tendency to cling to God more. When everything is going great, most people have no need for God. Think about team building, alot of companies make their employees go through team building, why? Because when you go through something with other people, it usually builds your relationship with them. Its the same with God, God wants a relationship with you, not just religion. Allow these trials and testing to bring you closer to Christ

Ask in Faith

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. (6)

However when we do ask God for wisdom, we need to ask in true faith. Again this is a testing of our faith, do we really believe God will save and help us? Did the Hebrew men really believe God will save them from the fire? Yes, Did the disciples really believe Jesus was going to save them in the storm? Truly put your trust in Jesus, don’t be like those who guess maybe God will answer them, Have faith God is with You, in the fire, in the storm, in every trial of your life

Anyone who comes to him with lack of faith shouldn’t expect anything from him. This faith is developed and endured during the trials and temptations of life, cling to Jesus and you will lack nothing!

Faith upholds a Christian under all trials, by assuring him that every painful dispensation is under the direction of his Lord; that chastisements (displines) are a token of His love; that the season, measure, and continuance of his sufferings, are appointed by Infinite Wisdom, and designed to work for his everlasting good; and that grace and strength shall be afforded him, according to his need. John Newton

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2)

There will be trials in your Christian walk, lets us consider it pure joy. Because just as Jesus was with the Hebrew men in the fire, Jesus was with the disciples in the storm, Jesus is with you also and always, Jesus is with you in every trial, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, during all times and trials

Rejoice brothers and sisters , rejoice always because Christ is Risen , Christ has already overcome the world, Amen!