Blessed Is the Man (James 1:12)
Updated: Aug 29
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. —James 1:12
Blessed means you have good, happy feelings on the inside, because everything is good on the outside, because your God rules the outside
Blessed means it’s all good, all the time, because your God has the whole world in His hands and always shows great grace and favor toward you, even in painful trials.
Blessed means you will be filled with joy because everything in your life is headed toward fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore in God’s very presence.
Does this all sound too good to be true? James 1:12 teaches us that such blessedness comes when we remain steadfast under trial. We are blessed when, in the face of painful circumstances and temptations we keep trusting the Lord, following Jesus, obeying our Father, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, delighting in God, hoping in God, and loving God. This is what it means to remain steadfast under trial.
Those who do so “will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” This crown is eternal life and includes all the blessings that come with that glorious life in the presence of God. This is our great reward!
The only reason we can enjoy the reward of the crown of life is because Jesus wore the crown of thorns at His death on the cross. He died for our sins and rose for our justification so that we might remain steadfast under trial and be blessed forever. May all your trials in this life point you to your suffering Savior who makes even our trials serve us for our good.
Vaneeth Rendall Risner, a Christian who has suffered much, writes: “What is blessing, then? Scripture shows that blessing is anything God gives that makes us fully satisfied in Him. Anything that draws us closer to Jesus. Anything that helps us relinquish the temporal and hold on more tightly to the eternal.”
Risner's words echo those of Charles Spurgeon, who said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” May all your trials drive you to the Rock of Ages so that you may be truly blessed!
For Reflection
What comes to mind when you hear the word blessed?
Can you think of Christians whose steadfastness under trial have been an encouragement to your faith?
What are some ways you are tempted not to remain faithful under trial? How can you use Scripture to fight the good fight of faith when temptations arise?
