James 1:2f ‘Consider it pure joy’ – really?
[Notes of a talk given at the Service of Thanksgiving for God’s goodness during the recent illness and ongoing recovery of Sarah Mason. Holy Trinity Norwich, at 2pm on Saturday 8th July 2023]
‘Consider it pure joy’ – Really?
James 1:2f – ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.’
Or as a well-known saying puts it:
‘God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.’
When my dear wife Sarah became seriously ill, several outcomes seemed possible. One was that she would die. Another was that she would survive, but with no apparent quality of life. In the event, and in God’s good grace, she is making a remarkable recovery.
But what if the outcome had been different? Could we still say that God is good, all the time?
Here’s a trio of truths that have sustained me through the roller-coaster of the last six months.
1. Jesus really happened
Introducing his account of the doings and teachings of Jesus Christ, Luke writes:
Luke 1:1-4 ‘I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning…so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.’
Obviously, he wants us to know that these things really happened!
Feelings may blow hot and cold. Faith may waver. But facts stubbornly remain: the facts of Jesus’ birth, teaching, miracles, death, resurrection and continued presence with his people.
But Jesus is not only a historical fact but also a living person.
Whatever your opinion of the Christian church, or of professing Christians, the most pressing question is: ‘Yes, but what do you think of Christ?’
2. The best is yet to be
In Philippians 1:23, apostle Paul contemplates whether he would prefer to continue serve others in this present life, or ‘to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.’ (Phil 1:23)
My hope and prayer for Sarah was that, if the time had come for her own departure, it would be in the same spirit as those words of St. Paul; as uncomplicated as that of Christiana (in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress):
‘Now the day drew on that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the city gate. So she came forth and entered the river with a beckon of farewell to those who followed her to the river-side. The last words she was heard to say here was, I come, Lord, to be with thee and bless thee.’
3. There is purpose in our trials
2 Cor 1:3f ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.’
God comforts us, not that we may be made comfortable, but that we might be made comforters.
That God has a purpose in our trials is made clear by James, too:
James 1:2f – ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.’
I know that many of you have been, or now are, experiencing very difficult circumstances. I don’t have a magic answer. But whatever difficulties you are facing today, let them drive you to God, and not away from him.
‘How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.’ (George Macdonald)
So, yes, we can say: God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.