I wonder who picks out the verse-of-the-day that is sent to my email? I often see patterns–Scriptures that speak of the Incarnation during the Christmas season or Redemption during the Easter Season. But sometimes I can’t find any reason why that verse ended up applied to that day.
Maybe the person who picks out the verse-of-the-day really needed to hear that Scripture and just decided the rest of us should too.
What greeted me this morning was James 1:2-3: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” [HCSB]
The NKJV commands us to “count it all joy,” while, the NLT provides another way of looking at James’ command. “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
No matter how I look at these verses, I doubt very much if I have ever (initially) faced any trial or trouble as an opportunity for great joy. I usually attribute opportunities for great joy to other types of experiences.
Usually, I find the “great joy” when the trial is behind me. I can see how my God was faithful, how my faith grew, how much stronger my endurance. But James is unmistakable. We are not to wait until the end of the trial to count it all joy, we are to count it all joy at the beginning.
Anticipating eagerly how God will prove Himself faithful to us amid the various trials and troubles is the avenue for experiencing the great joy at the beginning.
