“Joy When There Should Be None”

James 1:2

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds”

 

Everyone faces trials at different times in their lives.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness” (Matt. 5:10), and also said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad….”  Such statements don’t make sense from a worldly perspective.

Growing in our spiritual lives we begin to recognize a conflict between the spiritual world and the natural world.  The conflict is actually so great that we describe it as spiritual warfare.  It is in this understanding that we find meaning to the admonition to “consider it pure joy” when attacked and going through various trials.  The attack is really against Jesus in us.  We count it joy because the attack proves that we belong to Christ.  It means that we are engaged in the battle on Christ’s side.

The biblical admonitions to endure and to persevere do not refer to maintaining our salvation but to staying true to Christ as a soldier of the cross.  We are in a battle that demands our absolute allegiance to our commander in chief Jesus Christ.  We find joy when our obedience defies the enemy who will always lose to Christ.  We are joyous since we are on the side of the victor, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

Based on these concepts, we can have a joyous ministry in Christ – even when facing trials.  We can have joy when it seems there should be none.

QUESTIONS:

1. Have you faced attacks and trials in your life?
2. How many of these attacks and trials result from mistakes you have made and how many happened because of your faith in Christ?   
3. What does it mean to have joy as a Christian?

PRAYER:

• Pray for joy when it seems there should be none.
• Pray for those on your Prayer List.