Pure Joy II

James 1:² “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” [with emphasis].

It appears that man’s perception of joy is very different from God’s reality. Yesterday, we learnt that there is joy and there is pure joy. God says we should consider it pure joy when we face trials of different kinds. And that does not really line up with our idea of what happiness is. But God says consider it pure joy. So when faced with trials of different kinds, God wants us to consider it pure joy. When you obey and you do this, it does not mean that you are crazy or in denial. Neither is it just pep talk or motivational words. Why?

God shows us why, He says, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Other translation states, “the trial of your faith works patience… endurance”. In other words, you become mature. So the reason you are counting it all joy is not because it is pleasant but because it works maturity in you. And maturity cannot be bought with money. Maturity cannot be attained through a splash of anointing oil.

God wants you and I to be mature and He is saying the path to maturity is lined with different kinds of trials and tribulation. But count it all joy. Why? Because it is making you stronger. God is happy when you are stronger because as you grow in strength, you will break the back of adversity. That is what it means when the Word of God says, “…by the anointing the yoke is broken”. Let me explain further; the picture painted in this scripture is that of oxen yoked together with a wooden yoke and made to plough. God is saying that as the oxen gets stronger and bigger, that yoke will break from its neck. So when the Bible says by the anointing the yoke will be destroyed, it is as you increase in capacity.

Isaac said to Esau, “…I have made him your master but when you become restless, you will shake his yoke off your neck”. What that means is that your growth is linked to your destiny. If you do not grow, if you do not increase in capacity, you cannot fulfill your destiny. And it is the trials and tribulation that toughen you up.

Prayer: Father, I pray that Your hand will be with me in all that I do and as I grow stronger, every yoke in my life will be completely destroyed, in Jesus Name. Amen!