S. James 1:2-4, 12
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12 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.
O. James teaches that we should allow perseverance finish its work. People possibly do not want to continue what I might call “faith testing.” Possibly many think they need relief right now from things that test us. Yet, James says that perseverance (to keep going, endure) has an end. He says “let perseverance finish its work.” Perhaps such “faith testing” is a process of faith building and when the process is complete, those persisting do not lack or have need of anything.
Such perseverance (of “faith testing”) then is really what we might term faith or spiritual formation.
A. I will not seek to “bail out” of my present circumstances. I will not “run to Egypt” (a thought I have from the Bible of when God’s people seek what they think is a for sure stability by someone/something other than God. Mentioned BTW in Isaiah 31:1). Rather, I will persist in prayer and keep my faith focused and my provision requests to God alone, knowing He is developing me even more for continued Kingdom work.
P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit help me to learn from such faith testing that I might grow, mature, encourage others and thereby glorify God.
