“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
“Blessed or Happy is more a declaration of a state than an expression of a feeling.” Scotty Smith.
I’ve been listening to Scotty’s teaching of James to the Women’s Bible Study at Christ Community Church these last weeks, and I’m learning more than I ever forgot about the book! I heard him say this yesterday, and I thought it important to mention this here.
Being the recovering Stoic that I am, I want to make sure that no one hears what I’m not saying. When we talk about joy in our tribulations, it doesn’t mean, “Just buck up and plow through” (which may not be what you hear but is what I heard for many years as a young Christian.) It refers to the great gospel paradox that God is up to something different in our lives through the difficulties. We have come to expect that trial, tribulation, sorrow, hard seasons, harm can be understood only negatively. The Cross of Christ turns all that on its head.
More on this another time, but I also wanted to post the song that’s been stuck in my head the last 24 hours.
“All Must Be Well” by Matthew Smith (which is really different than “All Is Well” when you think about it.)
Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well
Free and changeless is His favor, all is well
Precious is the blood that healed us
Perfect is the grace that sealed us
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us
All must be well
Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well
Ours is such a full salvation, all is well
Happy still in God confiding
Fruitful if in Christ abiding
Steadfast through the Spirit’s guiding
All must be well
We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well
On our Father’s love relying
Jesus every need supplying
Yes in living or in dying
All must be well
