|
Joyful Trials
by Stephen Behrman James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. It was totally unnerving. His error had not gone unnoticed. He would now have to face the accusers and deal with their substantiated claims. According to all that would be declared regarding his failure, there was only one rightful outcome- he would be condemned. So it was strange that during the reading of his charges, just when his heart should be failing over his imminent demise, that a smile rested on his lips. In fact, during the reading of each claim against him, it could clearly be seen that the smile widened. This smile was not that of arrogance and disdain for the court, but rather the countenance of one who knew that, though there appeared to be insurmountable evidence stacked against him, another much more favorable outcome was actually getting ready to take place. He appeared to be completely free from any consternation regarding his fate. Rather than being the least bit anxious and stressed, he was extremely relaxed. It was almost as if he was patiently looking forward with peaceful anticipation to how each attempt at condemnation would be turned into another reason to rejoice. In the face of circumstances and accusations that would otherwise cause us to give up and give in to worrying, fretting and letting go of God, it is possible for us to account for each charge by including it with the reasons to rejoice rather than the reasons to tremble and fear. Though the evidence stacked against us may otherwise appear to be overwhelming and defenseless, there is a simple understanding that will undermine and dislodge every condemning claim on our soul. With every temptation into which we may fall, with every opportunity for faith in our Father to fail, a further revelation by our star witness is forthcoming. He has gone before us in this position of the accused. He has taken every claim against us, paid the price for our redemption, and provided us with a clear and lawful right to His righteousness, With every rising voice of opposition and with every enticement of this world over the kingdom there is a declaration of loving grace that replaces the sentence of death with the unwavering assurance of life eternal. There is a clear and definite opportunity for joy to reign in every circumstance of life, but as faith is put on trial there will need to be an assurance that every accusation has been dealt with by the blood of the Lamb. It will apply in a new and fresh way to every attack that arises, and it will most certainly cover every attempt at identity assassination and its oppressing and depressing impact. We are eternally identified with Christ by receiving of His established grace and mercy, and there is no encountered temptation that is not covered by the evidence of the blood. By gaining access through the blood to the presence of our Redeemer and by holding fast to our testimony of faith without wavering, we can turn every potentially overwhelming trial into a celebration of God-inspired joy. In this realm of gladness, confidence and assurance will usher in an ever-increasingly established patience that anticipates the next victorious application of blood evidence over any and every temptation. As nothing in this world can any longer lay claim upon our passions, we will be free to triumphantly live in His love to the very end. Revelation 12:10-11 KJV (10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Stephen Behrman pastors at Worship Life in Cedar Park, TX. With a background in music and worship leading, he along with his wife, Kim, are passionate about pursuing a life of worship, where relationship with God touches every moment. http://WorshipLife.info http://WorshipLifeDailyBread.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |