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!
James 1:12 teaches us that this blessedness comes when we remain steadfast under trial. We are blessed when, in the face of hard, painful circumstances and temptations, we keep trusting the LORD; we keep following Jesus; we keep obeying our Father; we keep relying on the power of the Holy Spirit; we keep delighting in God, hoping in God, and loving God. This is what it means to remain steadfast under trial.
And those who do so “will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
This crown of life is eternal life and 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 that 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 even makes our trials serve us for our good and bless us!
Vaneetha Rendall Risner 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.”
Her words echo the words of Charles Spurgeon: “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 He is: The Best Of The Blessed And On An Everlasting Quest With Conquering Love And Joy And Zest To Save His Own Who Failed The Test He Died And Rose His Love Expressed He Took The Curse By Wrath Oppressed Then Rose And Conquered As Professed So Trust The Son, Don’t Be Depressed For In His Righteousness You’re Dressed With Him Alone You’ll Be Obsessed In Him You Have The Best Of Blessed!
For Reflection
What comes into your mind when you hear the word “blessed?”
Can you think of some examples of Christians who have remained steadfast under trial who have encouraged your faith?
What are some ways you are tempted not to remain faithful under trial, and how can you fight the good fight of faith when you are tempted with those temptations?