James, one of the brothers of Jesus, became a leader of the church in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He was respected for the advice he gave and for the wise decisions he helped the community of believers make (see Acts 15:13-21). At one point he decided to write down some of his best teachings and advice and send them to other Jewish believers in Jesus who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. What he wrote to them has become known as the book of James.
This book begins like a letter because it’s being sent to people at a distance. But it is actually not very much like other letters of the time. It is a collection of short sayings and slightly longer discussions of practical topics. The conversational style, the short, pithy sayings and the interweaving of themes all make this book similar to the wisdom writing found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Like those wisdom books, James concentrates on questions of daily living in God’s good creation. He considers such practical issues as concern for the poor, the responsible use of wealth, control of the tongue, purity of life, unity in the community of Christ-followers, and above all patience and endurance during times of trial. The godly wisdom here remains as valuable a guide to living fully human lives as when James first shared it centuries ago.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Testing of Your Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
REFLECTION:
Life involves us in many kinds of testing; it is in God that the testing of our faith produces endurance and because of Him, we are able to grow mature. When we experience difficult times—financial or relationship—those times are when we are most able to focus and be dependent on God. These times can be filled with joy when we realize that He is strong when we are weak.
Recalling a trial you have experienced, what pressures did it bring on your faith? What “wisdom” did you gain through it?
In this wealth-chasing modern society, what do vv 9-11 mean to you? What might James say you should “take pride in”? Will you heed his teaching? Why?
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
15 The joy of our hearts has ceased;
our dancing has been turned to mourning.
16 The crown has fallen from our head;
woe to us, for we have sinned!
17 For this our heart has become sick,
for these things our eyes have grown dim,
18 for Mount Zion which lies desolate;
jackals prowl over it.
19 But you, O Lord, reign forever;
your throne endures to all generations.
20 Why do you forget us forever,
why do you forsake us for so many days?
21 Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!
Renew our days as of old—
22 unless you have utterly rejected us,
and you remain exceedingly angry with us.
REFLECTION:
When it is full of sorrow and there seems to be no way out, people who truly believe in God should pray and cry to the Lord with hope. Jeremiah prayed sincerely for his people towards the end of the lamentations. Although he mentioned that the righteous God “was angry with us,” God is also a God full of love and compassion, just as Micah 7:18 said: God “does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” The Lamentations of Jeremiah show us a double picture: on the one hand, God’s warnings and admonitions have been repeatedly despised by the people of Jerusalem, so that they were finally punished by God and suffered a great disaster, all their life goals on earth were collapsed; on the other hand, although God stayed away from them, He did not give up on them. That was their greatest hope. Even though they had sinned deeply in the past, as long as they changed their minds, God would revive them. Their only hope was in God. Today, we also suffer from suffering and grief for various reasons. Jeremiah’s lament reminds us: Our suffering and grief should lead us to God, not to distance us from Him. We have suffering in the world, but we must not forget that our Lord Jesus has overcome the world, we must grasp the Lord’s promise, and He is our only hope in suffering!
PRAYER:
Pray for the sufferings of yourself and of those around you that you care about. Regardless of the cause of this suffering, which we understand or do not understand, ask God to enlighten us in our sufferings so that we will not be discouraged; ask God to give us peace and hope in our hearts, focusing only on God’s love and faithfulness, and relying on God wholeheartedly, and bravely continue on the heavenly path.
11 The Lord gave full vent to his wrath;
he poured out his hot anger,
and he kindled a fire in Zion
that consumed its foundations.
12 The kings of the earth did not believe,
nor any of the inhabitants of the world,
that foe or enemy could enter
the gates of Jerusalem.
13 This was for the sins of her prophets
and the iniquities of her priests,
who shed in the midst of her
the blood of the righteous.
14 They wandered, blind, through the streets;
they were so defiled with blood
that no one was able to touch
their garments.
15 “Away! Unclean!” people cried at them.
“Away! Away! Do not touch!”
So they became fugitives and wanderers;
people said among the nations,
“They shall stay with us no longer.”
16 The Lord himself has scattered them;
he will regard them no more;
no honor was shown to the priests,
no favor to the elders.
REFLECTION:
This chapter compares the situation of Jerusalem before and after the attack, and writes that because of the sins of the people, the prosperity and honour of Jerusalem have been destroyed. This chapter warns us that the “good life” that looks like gold will make us lose vigilance, lead to spiritual decline, and ultimately be severely judged by God for sinking into sins. Jeremiah specifically pointed out that the sins committed by the kings, prophets, and priests as leaders are greater. They are in a leadership position of the country, who should godly perform the duties entrusted by God, but rather they do evil and ungodly things, become bad examples for the people, and ultimately lead to the fall of Jerusalem and the demise of the country. Today, each of us has more or less the role of leader in the family, church, and society. In this role, we should set an example of fearing God, live out a beautiful testimony, and influence the people around us. So that they will not be bound and enslaved by the power of sin in the so-called good life of peace and prosperity, and lead them to God.
PRAYER:
Pray for God to make you understand your responsibilities in your family, church, and society, so that you can actively and bravely exert your influence, participate in the great commission of guiding people to God with all your heart, and strive to use your beautiful life to witness and preach the gospel of God .
