40 Days of Faith by Unknown
Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL012000/REL012020/REL042000
ISBN: 9781433574252
Publisher: Crossway
Published: 2020-10-06T00:00:00+00:00
For further study and encouragement
James 1:2â11
Day 20
The difficulties of your life are not in the way of Godâs plan; they are a tool of it. Theyâre crafted to advance his work of grace.
Perhaps the two most important questions you could ask between your conversion and your final resurrection are:
1.âWhat in the world is God doing right here, right now?
2.âHow in the world should I respond to what God is doing?
The way that you answer these questions determines, in a real way, the character of your faith and the direction of your life. Consider how James answers these questions in the very first part of his letter:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (1:2â12)
What is God doing in the here and now? He is employing the difficulties of life as tools of grace to produce character in you that would not grow any other way. So your trials are not a sign that God has forgotten you or is being unfaithful to his promises. Rather, they stand as a reminder that he is committed to his grace and will not forsake itâit will complete its work. No, heâs not exercising his power to make your life easy. No, heâs not at work trying to deliver your particular definition of happiness. Heâs giving you much more than thatâeternally faithful, forgiving, and transforming grace.
And what should your response be? James says, âremain steadfast under trial.â Donât become discouraged and give up. Donât listen to the lies of the enemy. Donât forsake your good habits of faith. Donât question Godâs goodness. Look at your trials and see grace. Behind those difficulties is an ever-present Redeemer who is completing his work.
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