"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
"The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits." (James 1: 1 - 11).
Monday 12th February 2024 in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.
Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him.” (Psalm 34: 20)
Why are the saints (just man) not spared the troubles of life? Why do they seem to have more problems in the areas of the 7-War Zones: health, family, money, job, tools, food, and future?
This is a perplexing question. Although Psalm 34:20 tells us that the Lord eventually delivers His holy ones from all troubles, the Psalm does not tell us why He allows them to go through the experience in the first place.
The Letter of St. James 1: 2-4 under the heading of “The Value of Trials and Temptation” gives us an acceptable answer:
“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Cf James 1: 2-4)
Trials are the preordained means through which the Lord imparts to us the strength to persevere. Without perseverance, nobody can make it to heaven.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9)
Have you learned the following lessons?
"I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Philippians 4: 12 - 13)
Note that St. Paul says in Philippians 4: 13, “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” The strength comes through perseverance in trials.
The dictionary defines perseverance thus:
1. Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc. , especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2. Continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.
Perseverance in trials is necessary for eternal salvation.
God wants us to consider all trials as discipline. (Hebrews 12: 7) God is training you as a son, preparing you for glory like Job and Jesus. (Romans 8 : 28 - 30)
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