Enduring Trials By Faith
Today’s Verses:
James 1:2-24 ESV
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.
For the next four days, we are going to review some of my thoughts on the Book of James. Initially, I was going to use this as a Bible study. Today, we’re going to review James 1 with a focus on enduring trials with faith.
Christianity is not a journey on a smooth, paved road. It’s more like a bumpy gravel path. We experience detours and rocky, steep climbs. Trials—come through illness, grief, loss, or spiritual battle—are not indications that God has turned his back on us. No, in James’ words, they are opportunities for the development of steadfast faith.
James’ words strike us at first as perverse. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds?” That’s not what the culture tells us. But James writes as one acquainted with the cross. And the cross always flips things upside down. In Christ, suffering is not purposeless; it is purposive.
God does not test us to break us, but to make us. Martin Luther said a theologian is made of oratio, meditatio, and tentatio: prayer, meditation on the Word, and testing (trial). Testing squeezes us to hold fast to Christ.
Steadfastness is not just gritting your teeth. It is leaning into Jesus. When our strength is spent, His strength is made sufficient. When we are weak, then He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9–10). The Spirit is working in these trials to deepen our trust, to form our character, to draw us ever closer to the One who endured the cross for us.
So we count it joy—not because the pain is pleasant but because Christ is present. The One who bore the crown of thorns now crowns us with a crown of life (James 1:12). We endure, not by our own strength, but with Jesus at our side.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, rescue me from greed and self-Gracious Lord, when trials come, help me not to despair, but to cling to You all the more. Shape my heart through hardship to trust You fully. Grant me steadfastness of faith, and through it, draw me nearer to Christ, who endured the cross for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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