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Hello, this is Gabriel Oleko. I hope you are well today. Thank you for taking this time to meditate together with me on our verse of the day which is found in James 1.2-3 where it is written: “My brothers, consider for complete joy the various trials to which you may be exposed, knowing that the Testing your faith produces patience. »

Can we really admit that trials carry within them the seeds of benevolence? At first glance, hardship goes against well-being. I don’t know anyone who likes hardships unless they’re sick or differently constituted.

Our text today poses the problem of the management of the test and the apostle James clearly affirms that the tests do not have to be seen only with a negative eye. They have a good side. But which one? This is the subject of our meditation today.

But before going any further, I would like to openly remind you that no one is immune to the storms of life. It is said that one day: “A pastor was absent from his town for a week. During his absence, a tornado had swept through the small town. A man from his church met him at the entrance to the city. The man said to him, “Please pastor, pray for me, this tornado destroyed my house. All I have left are the clothes on my back. The pastor took advantage of the tragedy to speak certain truths to this man.

The pastor said to him, “That doesn’t surprise me! Because of the sin of disobedience in your life, I am not surprised that your house was destroyed. I believe God punished you. I hope you will take this as a warning from God! The man replied, “Certainly a pastor.” And by the way, I also wanted to tell you that your house was destroyed too! »

Every day we encounter situations that challenge us to exercise our faith. Whether it is illness, adversity, lack, the various struggles of life, these are all situations and realities that test our faith. But in our text today, the apostle James talks about the persecutions that Christians may encounter in their lives.

Moreover, the apostle Peter also speaks of it in his first epistle where he exhorts the children of God to live triumphantly in this world where there are persecutions. For someone listening to me from a peaceful country where you can go out and come back freely, the word persecution means absolutely nothing to him. And yet, persecutions exist in various forms, even in these so-called democratic or free countries.

Living your faith in a world that rejects God is not always easy. But here are a few words I would like to share with you to encourage you to fight the good fight of faith.

First, I invite you to never forget that trials are necessary to solidify your faith. This is why the apostle emphasizes that you should look upon your trials as a matter of joy because they are temporary compared to the final crown which the righteous will receive in the day of the Lord.

Second, trials give you the opportunity to love God and put your faith in what is unseen. With their eyes fixed on the unseen, the elders in the faith stood firm in choosing the path of God.

Third, we Christians are the people of a rejected Messiah. So whenever we face rejection, persecution, suffering, there is nothing new, our Lord has known the same path. In addition, he promised that this would happen to us: “I have told you these things, that you may have peace in me. You will have tribulations in the world; but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

If there is a central idea here it is: trials are not contrary to faith. As a final word, I will end with this quotation from Professor Samuel Bénétreau who said: “Faith cannot be a definitive seizure of possession, but this unceasingly renewed adhesion, this unceasingly confirmed choice in favor of God, where the we abandon these human supports whose fragility the authors of the New Testament denounce. »

Whatever is currently happening in your life, the Word of the Lord invites you to be patient.

Have a nice day and God bless you.

Gabriel Oleko

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