A Study of James: Wisdom in Dealing with Life's Trials

                                     Wisdom in Dealing with Life’s Trials

James 1:2-8,12

Reflecting back at life’s trials, I am encouraged by God’s wisdom, and He tells us to consider it with all joy.

If ever there was a time of trials in our lives that bring us down, it definitely would be during this pandemic. We as Christians are given the Holy Spirit in order to empower us to be able to stand (persevere) during these trials. The word ‘consider’ in the Aramaic means ”to lead the way”. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, we as believers are given the direction by the Holy Spirit who is leading the way.

It is not easy staying in isolation, but we have been given a comforter ( “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you.” John 14:16 LB) in whom we receive joy as a fruit (evidence) of his working in our lives. So we can face this trial because we know that “the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” v.3-5 

Application: We must let the Holy Spirit do his work in us and for us during this and all trials. As believers, we  are told to trust God, and trusting in God the Holy Spirit should seem to be the best wisdom to apply and live by in our lives. One of my favorite verses in Proverbs is 3:5-6 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.) This verse has helped me more times than I count. I remember teaching this verse to my youngest son when he was little, I believe it was the first verse that he memorized.  What joy to see my children using this verse through their own trials, and seeing the victory, joy, and wisdom in each of their lives.  We also can receive wisdom through Paul’s exhortation on joy during trials as in Rom.5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

In these trials we are facing, we can rejoice like Peter when we think about heaven and our being there with our Lord one day, that is our hope. “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.  1 Pet. 1:6-8

Next, James speaks to us on wisdom in the midst of asking for wisdom. One of the most foolish things that I ever did is try to do things my own way. It always turns up harder and usually costs me more in the end. James, as the pastor on this flock of believers, was telling them if you lack wisdom, ask God. He gives freely to all who ask of Him, without finding fault. Here is where “the rubber meets the road” in our faith, not doubting. Oh the times we are in can cause everyone to doubt, especially if you are trusting in man to solve the problem, or take away the trial. 

We need God’s wisdom in order to persevere and grow mature. The similes that James gives are great. The waves are influenced by three things in wind: Velocity, fetch, and duration. Wind velocity is the speed of the wind. In the world at sea, wind can come in very quickly and with great speed. So do some trials, but when we have the Author of the wind with us. He will give us the wisdom and ability to persevere. Luke 8:22-25 tells the story of Jesus and the disciples upon the sea of Galilee when a storm arose quickly and nearly swamped the boat. Jesus awoke and calmed the storm, but not after chiding the disciples for lack of faith and wisdom (they have God in the boat with them). 

Secondly, fetch is the distance over the water that the wind can blow uninterrupted (which can be huge distances out at sea). Distance is another area that is not very difficult for God, but for believers we struggle mightily with it. No man yet knows the length of this pandemic (the fetch) but it looks to be a great distance away. So the wind continues to blow with great velocity and large waves that affect all in the world. 

Third, the duration is the amount of time the wind blows over that patch of water. Again time is nothing to God. He alone knows the time the wind of this pandemic will blow.

Application: As believers, we need the wisdom to ask God to give us wisdom in order to ride out this wind of pandemic. God has given us all the wisdom we need, all we have to do is ask Him. I for one, need to trust in the wisdom of God’s word to lead my life and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. My greatest advice to all who are experiencing trials is to ask God for wisdom through his word and through prayer. He alone will give us all joy in the midst of the wind and the waves of the pandemic.

James continues to instruct us that wisdom will be a blessing in this life and eternity. Verse 12 states, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” 

First, We have great hope and blessing in trusting in Jesus Christ during the times of trials and testing. We each can testify of some great trial or testing of our faith, and it is absolutely Jesus in our lives that enabled us to stand through these trials. James’ death is testimony to this. He was the leader of the church in Jerusalem, and it was there at the temple in Jerusalem, that the Pharisees and leaders took James to the pinnacle of the Temple and threw him off, but he didn’t die from the fall. It is said that they then stoned him to death at the base of the temple. During all this it is said that James considered it a blessing to trust in Jesus.

Second, “When we have stood the test” It takes wisdom to take a stand on what you know to be true. James understood the cost and he had stood against the leaders in Jerusalem for years. He stood his ground till the end. I believe in the last days upon this earth for believers, we will have to stand against the Devil’s schemes. They will seem never ending and relentless, but we are equipped by God for this time. (Eph.6:10-18). 

Third, James as he was standing on the pinnacle of the Temple, a Pharisee asked him about Jesus, and James told him “He was sitting  in Heaven at the right hand of power.” James understood the reality of Heaven.  In this verse, after standing through the various trials, there really is eternal life in heaven and a new earth created by God for all who would believe, and the Crown of Life that is a blessing we will wear. 

The fourth part of this verse is loving our Lord and Savior. What a blessing it is to love the God who created all that we have, and died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins, was raised to life and heaven, and one day soon he will be coming back to take us to be with Him for eternity. James definitely understood and rejoiced.

Application: these verses alone should inspire us to seek godly wisdom from God to help us to persevere in the wind storm of the Covid pandemic and all trials that follow. We must go through these to bring us to a mature faith. So let us ask God for wisdom today. For He will give it to us and the joy we will have as we stand against the enemy’s schemes. Then the blessed Hope,  Eternal life in Heaven which God has prepared for all that believe in His Son for eternal life. Let us rejoice and be glad to be called His children.

Until next week, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

In His Service Mike Davis