Posted by
TAB on Saturday, August 23, 2008 8:58:56 AM
Coming Through Our Trials
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:13-15 (KJV)
Trials and rough circumstances and situations come into every life. When James writes his epistle he is writing to Jewish Christians of his day and time, but these words are very applicable to all Christians of any era.
There is blessing, even genuine happiness and fulfillment in being a Christian who stands strong during the time of trials and persecution. James has just told us so in the previous verse, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptations…" As we look at the three verses for today we must assume that there were some in the day of our author, that accused God of being the instrument of being tempted to leave the faith. Let’s get one thing abundantly clear; God never tempts anyone to leave Him, or His faith.
In most cases God doesn’t even cause the trials in our lives. Think about this for a moment. Most of the trials which come into our lives come as a result of our own foolishness. Many financial hardships are brought about because of spending more than we have; then, comes payday. Many of us don’t eat properly, then our health fails us. There are many times health is completely out of our hands; and that we trust to the Lord’s care. It should be trusted to the Lord’s care, because the physicians are only practicing. :>).
How you and I, as Christians, handle our trials is left to our strength and faith in God. Do we continue to trust Him through every moment, every aching muscle, every trying step we take, every day in surgery, every day with screaming kids? or do we just blame it all on God, say "He doesn’t really care", and just leave His caring, sheltering arms? The trials that come into our lives will give us that option. Where is your faith today?
The child of God is never tempted beyond that which they are able. Hear the word of God through the apostle Paul, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV). God knows how to deliver the godly, and He does.
Be strong in the LORD.
-Tim A. Blankenship