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THE JOY OF ENDURING
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
James 5:11

Job 13:15-16

 

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him…”

 

THE JOY OF ENDURING
 
In James 5:11, James specifically points to Job whose trials and afflictions were beyond what a man can overcome. He was a wealthy and pious landowner who lived in patriarchal times, in the land of Uz, on the borders of Idumea. His experience would be an excellent standard of measure, for he certainly went through extreme suffering.
 
The endurance of Job: James highlights the incredible story of Job’s perseverance so as to comfort the suffering believers. Job went through unimaginable and unexplainable sufferings which were the fierce attacks of Satan: the loss of his children, his wealth, his health, his reputation, and worst of all, his sense of God’s presence. Yet, read how Job responded in Job 1:21-22. His triumphant statement was: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him” (Job 13:15).
 
The goal of the Lord: The afflictions endured can be counted as joy only when the purpose of the Lord is understood. We know how He will deal with us if we know who He is. James reminds us of the nature of God. God is “very pitiful.” This Greek word, used only here in the New Testament, means “many-boweled,” reflecting the Hebrew idiom which speaks of the bowels or stomach as the seat of man’s emotions. To say that God is “many-boweled” affirms that He has an enormous capacity for compassion or is full of compassion. He is full of pity.
 
James mentions another attribute of God: “tender mercy.” This shows that God has the full capacity of mercy, and He shows this mercy in tender ways, not forced, but out of His generosity and lovingkindness.
 
Thus, when God allows His children to go through trials and tribulations, He is not being cruel. And He shows His compassion in fulfilling His covenant with them. God assures His children that we can rejoice in the midst of afflictions because the end is our good and God’s glory.
 
THOUGHT: Do I have joy in the Lord amid sufferings?
PRAYER: Father, help me see the goal of everything Thou doest for Thy children and let me rejoice in Thy compassions as Job did.

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