MAR 17

James 1:2-4
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 5:16
“… the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold.”

ARE YOU REJOICING EVERMORE?

The first instruction of service found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 is to “rejoice evermore”. This is not a suggestion, but a commandment for God’s people. “Evermore” means always. We are commanded to always rejoice, always be happy regardless of the circumstances that may befall us. Is that possible? The things that happen to us, don’t they affect our happiness? Aren’t we all affected by our circumstances? When we decide to serve, we put aside our own wants, we seek out the needs of others and see how we can help. Sometimes in the process of doing so, not only are we unappreciated, we may even be persecuted for doing so. So are we to rejoice even when that happens to us?

Remember, this is a commandment from God. God wants us to continue to be happy. But it is not a senseless kind of forced happiness. If it were so, then, it would be madness. God does not ask us to rejoice without good reason. God gives us the reason in James 1:2-4. In verse 3, we read that the trying of our faith creates patience in us. This “patience” means perseverance – the ability to withstand hardship and difficulties and not buckle under the pressure. This is the effect trials have on our faith and on us. When patience is built up in us, we will become perfect and complete, having no want, no lack. This is the reason why we should rejoice when we encounter trials and difficulties in service. Our faith would not grow otherwise. This growth that one experiences is special and comes only through difficulties that the Lord brings our way. Hence, because of the outcome of trials, we are encouraged to be happy about it, to rejoice.

We have to be careful though. Sometimes the difficulties we encounter in service are a result of the wrong that we have done. If problems arise because we have sinned, then we are not to rejoice. Instead, we are to repent. The difficulties are a chastisement from the Lord. We must differentiate the two or else we will become deluded and think the Lord is pleased with us when He actually is not. It is a good practice to always search our hearts upon every occurrence of a difficulty, whether it is due to the consequences of a sin or not. If it is so, then we should repent immediately. However, if after checking the depths of our hearts and you know you have not sinned against Christ and yet you suffer, then it is a trial from the Lord and you should rejoice! Know the difference.

Thought: Believing we have not sinned when we have, makes us hypocrites.
Prayer: Lord, if there be any wicked way in me, reveal it unto me.