SSMT: Verse 5

Whew! I feel like I just learned verse four! And now...time for a new SSMT verse! I actually just rediscovered this one during church on Sunday. Our pastor used some verses from James as part of his sermon text, and I noticed this one highlighted yellow on the page near the verses he read. Looks like I originally read them last November...right before a God-ordained pivotal turning point in my life. I remember how I felt then...and how I grasped desperately to these words because I needed to make myself believe there was hope for my future.

Reading the words now, I still don't have any idea how God plans to accomplish some of this in my life, but I have a very peaceful assurance He will.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:11

I know in comparison to what many people have faced, and what many others are facing right now, my trials at any point in my life seem like nothing. But in the last year I felt a lot like Job.

Once, I remember asking about the location of the nearest ash heap, because I felt like sitting down on it! Since I couldn't find one, I paced around and quoted Job's words instead...like Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him, and When He has tested me I will come forth as gold.

When I did a word study on this verse from James, I learned that the two references to perseverance actually have slightly different meanings.

The first one means to bear up under miseries, adversities, or provocations with faith. The second means those with hope...refers to quality of character that does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.

Perseverance, when you are in the middle of it, feels like just making it to the next minute. Sheer grit. But it's so much more than that! It is survival, for sure, but survival with faith. Survival with hope.

For me...the end of this verse has yet to be revealed in my life. I have no idea what the Lord is going to finally bring about in my world and in my life. He is being so faithful day by day. He IS indeed full of compassion and mercy. He is loving and brings me such delight and joy. And I know He is redeeming my life. I know He is fulfilling a work and a promise. How? I haven't yet discovered. What will it be? I have no clue.

But I believe He will bless my perseverance and my faith, and for that, I'm so thankful.