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.
James 1:2-4
Indeed, we give thanks to the Lord and rejoice – as we are charged to rejoice always – especially in trials, no matter how big or small. Regardless of them being internal conflicts or external assaults, we give the Lord all the glory for the Holy Spirit is not quite seen in His faithfulness and goodness, as much as we see Him in said circumstances.
We give thanks and rejoice in the Lord through the pain, knowing that we would come out more steadfast, knowing that this steadfastness would have its full effect, resulting in a profound realization – that we are perfected and completed by Christ.
Through sudden pain and suffering that is drawn out ever so slowly, we endure, not of our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit alive in us; Our tears may fall, but we find ourselves thankful still, choosing to proclaim His goodness, His faithfulness in causing good to come out of the setbacks, and the Truth of His being willing and able to cause all things to work for His good.
Through all the trials, we have seen and realized that God, as our Father, is part of our family, and any assault against our family is an attack against Him.
As we receive mercies abundant and new every morning, so we declare mercy upon these folks who declare themselves our enemy, that they may know that in all their efforts to steal from us, to kill us, and to destroy us, we have Christ – who has given us life, and life abundantly.
All glory and honor to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, both now and forever. He is worthy of all praise and glory, bearing the name that is above every other name in heaven and on earth.
There’s beauty in this brokenness. There’s restoration and provision in this loss. There’s acceptance in this rejection.
And in all of it, there is joy, down deep in our souls.
Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Holy Spirit. Be exalted, across the heavens and throughout the earth.
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.
James 1:5-8
In our rejoicing, oh, we ask the Lord for wisdom, craving it, hungering for it. We ask, but at the same time we are thankful because we already have the Word, which by default serves as our Wisdom and Freedom in this world where everyone tends to go to and fro… where everyone is bound by darkness.
We ask for Wisdom, and we receive it, automatically turning from being double minded and unstable. Christ is our Wisdom and our Stability.
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Proverbs 2:1-8
For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17
In our receiving Wisdom, we are reminded of the Gospel of the Grace of God, centering upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who has not only saved us, but is sustaining us and giving us strength. And not only do we receive wisdom and strength through Him, but we are given authority to reign in this life. Our identity is not without authority – yet not of ourselves, but by Christ and His finished work.
As that one Casting Crowns song goes, ‘Not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done; Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are‘
So we go forth, standing on the Solid Rock, standing upon a Firm Foundation. God is our Father who fights our battles for us, and He is with us. Through Christ we move forth in boldness, knowing that He is with us, He is for us and not against us, and nothing can separate us from His love.
We move forth in peace, knowing that everything connects us to His love, and everything reminds us of His glory and grace. We have peace beyond understanding, knowing that He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
And battles have been waged. Victories are not too far from grasp, but it’s not for us to take, but for our Father to confirm. Confrontation has been made, but it’s up to the Lord to follow through… What we do on our part is to wait on Him, prayerfully. We continue to lift up our concerns to Him, knowing that He is working on things far beyond our own reach, beyond our perception.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
John 15:16
We celebrate the Lord, knowing that as we abide in Him, we remember how we have been chosen by Him before the foundations of the world. We were loved before we understood the concept and Person of love.
We continue to cry out to Him, knowing that He would respond to our requests according to His great power and infinite wisdom.
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
As we wait on the Lord, we delight in Him. We enjoy Him, and we continue to take in how we have been so forgiven, and made so righteous. As such, we allow faith to continue to arise, and our hearts resonate in His goodness.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:3
We call on Him, we wait on Him, and we know He shall respond; He is willing and able to help us.
Oh, it’s been quite the ride. And it’s only going to get better from here.
Amen.
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