DON'T DEVIATE

James 1:2-4 (TNIV) 2 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 12 Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

PERSEVERANCE (def):  Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.*

You have no doubt heard the saying, “Stay the course”? It means to stay on the course you are on, to hold steady, don’t deviate. When we become Christians, we begin to be buffeted about by various trials and tribulations which are sent by our enemy to knock us off course. It is like the winds and waves at sea which can redirect a ships course of direction by their force. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus and Jesus alone, we will be more inclined to stay on course. Fears, real or imagined, will disappear. With each trial our faith is bolstered; a testing of our reliance on God.

Trials and tribulations are allowed by God to strengthen us. We need not fold under the pressure of them, for our faith, no matter how small, will slowly grow in the face of them.  God doesn’t allow anything that will harm us and is ever watchful to protect us. He is seeking to produce in us a stick-to-it mentality that will not waver in the face of mounting pressure. Your maturity and growth as a believer depends on it. We shouldn’t want to exist on the baby food of life when a hearty meal is waiting. It is our perseverance that matures us. With each test and trial our faith increases. We begin to realize that God was there to see you through last time, so it stands to reason that when scripture says “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6,8) it really means it.

James tells us to consider it a joyful experience to receive trials in our lives. We are worthy of being tested. Take Job for instance. Satan went into God’s throne room and God offered up Job for Satan to test. He was allowed to do whatever he wished except take his life. What an honor to be chosen by God for a test of faith. Job is a good read. It is long, but reveals the true nature of a man and God’s providence. God has never and will never leave us nor forsake us. It will never happen. Just when you think all is lost, a solution is provided or a way of escape appears.

We are not to turn from God because of these for them will lead us to greater blessings. God seeks to make us strong in our faith and trust so that we can withstand any trial that we face in life. In the end, no matter what our social standing, we will be a winner in the eyes of God. It is the insignificant ones in this world that do the most significant things in God’s economy. They have the least to lose and in my opinion, are more prone to seeking divine assistance.

It has been said that Jesus is a crutch, used by the weak and failing to hold themselves up. If that is true, then I will lean on Him all day long, for I realized a long time ago that I cannot do this thing called life by myself. My best efforts pale in comparison to God’s smallest feats. Face your trials head on knowing that God is with you and will see you through each and every one of them. In the end, your faith will be strong and your example to be a beacon of light to those around you.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!
 
*Definition courtesy of www.thefreedictionary.com