Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from James 1:1-4.

 

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad:  Greetings.

 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:1-4.

 

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So often, we do have what we need and even want.  Our lives are full of the abundance of God’s lovingkindness.

 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  Psalm 103:2-5.

 

“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the labor of man,
So that he may bring forth food from the earth,
And wine which makes man’s heart glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which sustains man’s heart.”  Psalm 104:14-15.

 

 

It seems to me that most of the various trials that I have experienced have been in the area of finances.  As I became anxious about how I would pay my bills, I would read past Gold Mines, Click here: Gold Mining « Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions, and I would be reminded of Scriptures and personal times of God’s deliverance and God’s faithfulness.  At these times, God would remind me again that faith pleases Him.  God would comfort me and build up my faith and endurance.

 

If I always had everything I needed or wanted, I would have no need for faith. I would not need to think of God, pray to Him, think of His promises, or trust Him.

 

“…hope that is seen is not hope;  for why does one also hope for what he sees?”  Romans 8:24.

 

When we have everything, we do not have hope nor faith, because we see what we have.  But when we do not have everything, we need to look to God for deliverance.  We need hope or faith because we do not see what we need or want.

 

Although we squirm and are anxious when we do not see what we need or want, such uncomfortable feeling is not bad if it leads us to faith in God.  Faith pleases God.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Such lack of sight and need for faith should not be seen as an aberration or withholding of God’s blessing.  The righteous live by faith.  The righteous live by the lack of sight and the need for faith.  Abraham did not see his children, and he needed faith that God would fulfill His promise and give him children. See Romans 4.

Hebrews 11 contain the Hall of Fame of the righteous who had faith.  “And all these having gained approval through their faith, …”  Hebrews 11:39.  They did not have what they wanted, but they were certainly blessed by God.  They had faith.  Later, God fulfilled His promises to them.

All who gained approval of God experienced lack of sight as to what they need or wanted.

Does that mean that they were not blessed?  On the contrary, their faith gave them the assurance and conviction that they would receive what they could not see.  Hebrews 11:1. 

And their faith was reckoned to them as righteousness.  In regards to Abraham, Romans 4:20-22 states:  “yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.  Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

In conclusion, we should not feel that lack of sight is strange and harmful.  We should feel that it is part of life of the righteous.  We should feel that lack of sight gives us an opportunity to have faith which pleases God.

We please God when we lack sight yet still trust Him.  Let us thank God not only for what we receive but also for the opportunity to have faith when we do not see what we want or need.

“that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”  I Peter 1:7.

The various trials that we experience are opportunities for gold mining.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  Verses 2-4.