Posted by
TAB on Saturday, August 02, 2008 8:46:41 AM
Blessed is the Man...
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 (NKJV).
This verse is full of thought and thoughts. Let’s, for example, think on the word "Blessed". The Bible is full of "Blessed". It is a word which means happy. Much of the time when we hear the word "Happy" or the condition of "Happiness" we see a lot of laughter, and sometimes things going on which should not be going on. Many today think happiness is obtained by things, ie., material things; and some think that happiness can only be achieved by doing drugs or drinking and parties of all kinds of lewd behavior.
As far as the culture of our day is concerned happiness is fleeting. You have it, then, it is gone. It may last for a minute, an hour, a day, even a week, but then it is gone; and in some people’s minds never to be seen again.
Jesus spoke of these "Blessed" in Matthew’s gospel, and He began with, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God." Matthew 5:3. This type of happiness comes only from God. The "poor in spirit" are those who know they have nothing before God, and go to Him on His terms, in His time and way. Jesus gives us a total of nine "blessed" or beatitudes. The "blessed" Jesus tells us of is not a fleeting happiness, but is attained only through faith in Him. It is much more than laughter, parties, and losing one’s mind to never think on matters of life. It is truly having meaning in life with Christ for all of eternity.
There is another "Blessed" which I must mention. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful…" Psalm 1:1 (NKJV). The "Blessed" of the Bible are not fleeting. They do not pass away, but are the happiness which is only found by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
The "Blessed" of today’s text is "Blessed is the man who endures temptation". These "temptations" are trials which, as Christians, we will suffer, and by faith endure. Trials will include sickness, disease, financial hardship, loss of a job, loss of a family member, divorce, infidelity by a spouse, and it may include persecution for your faith. The "blessed" Christian individual will hang on to their faith no matther what trial or circumstance of life comes along. These trials come to us all. How we handle them; how we come through them can be blessing.
By enduring through them; coming through them with praise and thanksgiving in our heart to our faithful Creator and Savior and Lord is not only a "Blessed" moment in time, but also a "Blessed" happy time in eternity.
The individual who endures these trials of life, and comes through them in strength, power and glory to Christ will truly be a "Blessed" happy individual.
Hear the Word of the Lord.
-Tim A. Blankenship