James 1:4 KJV
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
The book, “From Valley to the Mountaintop” started out of great pain. I had asked God why bad things happened to “good people.” Of course, there is no such thing. I have never believed that God’s intention was for life to be without trials. After all, what is a day on the beach without waves or birds culling, etc.? Those add flavor to the ocean. A life without some headache would be boring. Yet, when it seems like the storms refuse to cease, what do you do? I had gotten to a point where I was starting to believe that those who did not fear God, whether they were raised in church or outside, were enjoying more of God’s mercies than those who did. I knew God had been too good to me all my life but I felt I somehow lost Him along the way. I had gotten blind to His love and my purpose. And then He reminded me of truths that led to the writing of “The Righteousness of the Valley ” chapter. Christ’s job as the Husband of the church is to wash her and present her as HOLY and without blemish to the King of Kings. Enter pain and suffering.
Several places in the New Testament, the poor are called more blessed than the rich. Yet, the world and society have made poverty taboo. Don’t get me wrong. No one enjoys being poor but why is it a blessing? Think about it… Historically, I have been committed to my times with God: prayers, praise, in God’s Word. But I never knew God to the dimension I know Him now, having gone through a new type of pain. (Follow the blog or read the book to find out what. ) Similar to when so many bills are due simultaneously, my trials caused me to cry out to God like never before. I had to crouch down, weep, beg, ask the Holy Spirit for revelation, pray in tongues and more seeking God’s face. One of my worst sins (discussed in the book) finally melted away. I had carried it for more than two decades, having no clue how it would go away. It didn’t happen till my trials took me to my knees. I felt like I died a thousand times and was brought back to life. I received the gift of tongues during this rough time, and realized what God was doing. He did not hate me. He was perfecting me.
How I achieve the Psalm 23 remark of wanting nothing and get the perfection of James 1:4 and Matthew 5:48 is by embracing trial and waiting on God. When He has perfected me in the area He chooses, He will release me. For He knows I am like a flower: here today and gone tomorrow. He will not let me see death in my trials. He must receive His glory.
If you are in a bind and are thinking of running out on God, don’t go anywhere. Your salvation or your promotion (at work/spiritually/ in relationship etc.) may be dependent on you passing through that trial. You will come out strong on the other side if you lean on Jehovah, if you lean on the Way (on Jesus who already took on all your sins and overcame). Be blessed.
Prayer:
Abba Father, teach us how to wait on you through our trials. Give us the strength in Jesus to go through the hurt and the pain and the fear. You did not give us a spirit of fear. So we denounce it now in Jesus’s name. Perfect us here that we may uplift others, love You better, make it to heaven on the last day and glorify Your Name. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
