Title [Text: James 5:13] Obey Providence
There are always ups and downs in the path of life. A wise Christian is one who knows that this is God's providence in any circumstance and immediately obeys it. If you reject it, you are committing a sin against the will of God, but it is of little benefit to you. I hope that we will all study the text of the text meaningfully, act wisely, and obey God's will.
1. Those who are suffering should pray.
“Is any of you afflicted,” he said. Even the saints suffer. It is wrong to claim that if you believe in Jesus, there will be no suffering and everything will prosper. If any of us have heard this story and started a life of faith, please know that we have been deceived. This does not mean that you should quit your religious life. It is about knowing and believing. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage.” Therefore, I hope you do not deny the suffering itself, but accept it positively.
① When you are faced with hardships, you must think deeply. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says, “In the days of trouble, think about it.” When suffering is given, you can look back. It reminds me of things that are disloyal to the holy work the Lord has entrusted to me. I think of the sins I have committed and the things that I did wrong in my relationships with my neighbors. There are many people in the world who live without thinking. It lives as the wind blows as it ripples.
They struggle purely for their own benefit. A characteristic of human beings is that they can think. When everything is at peace and contentment, you can't really think deeply. When you are faced with various hardships, you will begin to live a new life by reflecting deeply on the past. Of particular importance to this idea is to renew our relationship with God. There are many things in which those who suffer return to the Lord. Thinking about what life is, we turn to God who is the Creator of all things and who redeemed us from our sins. In particular, those who do not live their faith properly often think of God through suffering. If we are going through hardship, let us think deeply. Let us reflect, repent, and fully restore our life toward the Lord.
② When suffering comes, we must pray. God brings the saints back to Him through a method called suffering. Especially to make you pray. “Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you will glorify me.” Suffering is God's way of encouraging prayer. Because he did not pray earnestly, he gives suffering to him so that he can pray earnestly. I cling to the Lord and ask for help. Knowing this kind of human nature, God wants to meet with His people and gives them suffering. Therefore, the saints should not blame God because they are suffering, but come to God quickly and pray, thinking that God is trying to meet me. When you pray, He listens with joy and hears your supplications. For those who pray, true happiness lies not in receiving answers, but in having fellowship with God. Meeting and whispering with God itself is happiness. Growing up to great spiritual maturity is also a concomitant blessing.
③If you are faced with hardships, you must meditate on the Word. Psalm 119:71 says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” Suffering leads us to the word of the Lord. You will receive comfort through the word, hope through the word, and discover the true meaning of suffering through the word. You will also put into practice the Word.
The sufferings of the saints are never harmed. It is beneficial in every way. I hope you will face your challenges in a positive way. I hope you will overcome hardships with faith. We earnestly hope that we will become believers who solve their hardships by thinking deeply, praying, and meditating on the Word.
2. When something pleasant happens, we should praise it.
“Is there anyone who rejoices, let him be praised,” he said. To be happy means to be prosperous. It means that things are progressing satisfactorily. It is in a good condition so that everyone considers it blessed. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says, “Rejoice in prosperous days.” Most people turn to the Lord and ask for help when they are in trouble, but turn away from the Lord when they are prosperous. It is human beings who are deceived like this.
① We should seek the Lord even when we are happy. It is said that only one leper out of ten lepers ran to the Lord and shared the joy of being healed. It is faith to seek the Lord in times of suffering, but to seek the Lord in times of joy is greater faith. If there is joy in the house, let the adults in the house know and share the joy. Sometimes, we invite you to a feast. Those who believe in Jesus should do all good things with His servants. Paul said, “Let all good things be done together.” Then, it is natural to tell God, give thanks, and glorify Him. It is a mistake that many saints make the joy their own and end up sharing it with the world. First, you must run to the Lord and offer a prayer of thanks. We hope that we will become believers who practice this life in our daily lives.