Thoughts for the Day

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We're leaving Samuel and King Saul behind, and look instead at the Epistle of James. Over the centuries this letter has been disputed regarding its authorship and date. Most theologians has settled on the author as 'James the Just', that is the half-brother of Jesus. He was the leader of the church in Jerusalem and was killed around CE 62, so the letter was written prior to this. He writes to Jewish-Christians who have moved away after a period of famine and persecution.

His letter is like an essay. In the opening chapter he tell us what he will say, and brings up the themes he will tackle. This introduction consists of wise teaching, that will use elements from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5.1-12) and from the book of Proverbs. He looks at things which we think will be bad for us, and declares how they are a source of blessing to the person that lives by faith. He argues that believers should meet trials or temptations with faith, because they can make us 'perfect'. The word 'perfect' is used seven times, so it's important. He means it can make us 'whole', that is not the broken humans we are now. Instead we shall become complete - our beliefs and actions will match up.

Perhaps, like me you have suffered a time of doubt about the existence of God. The suffering of a loved one, or our own suffering can cause us to question God's existence. But He is there with us on worst day of our life, and in those depths of anguish we are strengthened and comforted by His loving arms if we find the strength to turn to Him in faith. So it is that we can emerge from the trauma determined to live a life worthy of those we love (and may have lost), and also of God. When the next trauma occurs we firmly stamp on the doubt, and we are not 'tossed by the wind' like James' ship. Instead, we ask for God's help in faith, knowing He will have the best solution even though it be one we would not necessarily choose!

Lord God,
when trouble stalks us
and life is hard,
may we not be tossed around
in a sea of doubt,
but turn to You in faith,
knowing that You care for us
and that You want the best for us.
Whatever the outcome of this time
give us the strength to cope
with future trials,
that we may be made 'perfect'.
Amen.