| “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” – James 5:11 |
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| Having Heroes Helps in Hard Times Let us start this devotion with a couple of questions I trust you will pause to answer. #1 Who are your heroes? # 2 Why do you look up to them? As I ponder the questions, I have several people that I could list. Some of them are presently very close to me and some are now in heaven, and some are historical figures, both Biblical and non-biblical. Ultimately, I find my heroes to be those who are overcoming or have overcome the greatest of struggles. I think it is true for the vast majority that as we ourselves struggle with the struggles of life we find ourselves drawn to and inspired by those who overcome the greatest struggles- yes – those who endure through the hardest and most difficult of times. Pastor James writes a letter to struggling believers who have been scatted to the wind (James 1:1). He wants them to endure and persevere. One of his methods is to highlight OT characters throughout his letter and show how they persevered. For Pastor James the #1 example, yes hero, for perseverance is Job. Job persevered through some of the most immense pain any human being has ever faced in such a short amount of time. He lost family members to sudden tragic death and his vast finances to natural disasters as well as thieves. And just when you thought it could not get any worse, he lost his health, being covered with extremely painful boils. (This is all in Job 1 and 2) Reading his entire story reveals how through the struggle and the pain Job became a stronger and a better man. James says to look to Job to be your hero – to be your inspiration as you face your trials. He did not turn away from God, refusing to curse God. One of the great lessons he brings us is that he moved to the place where the trials were teachers. He came through – he endured – he persevered and in doing so he increased in the knowledge of GOD! (Job 42:5) I love his perspective as he stated in Job 23:10, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job understood what God had intended!!! It is worth remembering again that Pastor James is writing a letter to teach believers how to face trials. With a trial, you can turn ON God or turn AWAY FROM God or TURN TO GOD. Not sure what you are facing today but I encourage you to face it facing God. TURN TO HIM! He has a purpose for your pain. He is developing a message with your mess! As you grow He turns your trial into a testimony! And the most beautiful thing of all is our gracious, compassionate, and merciful God is making Himself known to you while also shaping you! Let Job’s life and story inspire you to endure and persevere during hard times! In doing so you just might become a hero to someone else on how to handle hard times. Verse to DATE the Word on May 11 (5/11) is James 5:11. It says, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” Continue Strong by having heroes of the faith help! And remember to DATE the Word |