DEVOTION – DAY 305

James 1:3-4 “God’s Way To Mature Us”

 

James 1:3-4 “Because that you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 

Many people dislike challenges, trials and difficulties in their lives. They prefer a life that is comfortable, easy and predictable. Are you one of these people? If you are, then, you need to rethink. The above verses teach us to look at challenges, trials and problems as opportunities for us to put our faith in God. They are the times in our lives that we learn to depend on God, and not on our own abilities and strength. People have a natural tendency to depend on themselves and on the people around them. But when we depend on God, we develop perseverance and patience. We learn to trust in God’s timing and not on our own timing. We learn to be still and to wait upon God. This is how God matures us. This is how God will mold us to be more and more like His Son, the Lord Jesus. Trials, problems, challenges are opportunities for us to draw closer to God.

 

Someone we know was a CEO of a company. At one stage, everything seemed to be going well for him. However, he fell out of favor with his bosses at work and action was taken to have him removed. When he refused to leave quietly, they dismissed him. This man sued his ex-bosses for wrongful dismissal. His case was widely discussed in the business community. Some of his friends shunned him as they believed in the version of events as told to the press by his ex-bosses. This man felt misunderstood, discouraged and bitter at how things had turned out. All he could do was to pray. I shared with him from James 1:3-4, to help him see his problem with his ex-bosses, as a way to strengthen his faith in the Lord. This man’s case against his ex-bosses was later settled out of court. Looking back, he realized that the incident brought him closer to God. He also discovered whom his true friends were. They were the ones who stood by him through his time of difficulty. They prayed for and with him.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, You are our Shield, our Rock and Mighty Fortress. Thank you for the good times and also the bad times in our lives for both are opportunities for us to trust and depend on You. May You continue to mold us to be more like Jesus Christ. In His precious name we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. How do you normally look at problems, challenges, difficulties in your life? Discuss.
  2. How has a past crisis caused you to turn to God and depend upon Him?
  3. How do these verses in James 1:3-4 cause you to change your view about problems, difficulties and challenges in your lives? Discuss.
  4. How can you encourage someone who is currently facing a crisis in his or her life? Share.