Trials - God's Good and Perfect Gifts

As this Sabbath arrives, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but hopefully the concept of thankfulness is still on our minds.

As I ended last week’s Sabbath Thought, I referenced James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” When James says that God is the Giver of every good gift, what is included?

In considering the significance of this verse, we need to consider the context of what the Apostle James is saying. The context goes all the way back to verse 2 of chapter 1, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” It’s hard for us to believe that trials and tests, whatever they may be, are to accepted with joy.

Why should we count trials and tests with joy? He tells us in James 1:3-4, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Trials and tests challenge our faith. Do we believe in God and His word? Will we follow it when we are under pressure? Will we follow it when it is hard? Do we believe in God and His word enough that we will do what is right regardless of the temptation to sin or compromise in some way?

As those called out of this world, we have been given a vantage point that allows us to be ever aware of God and His plan being worked out here below. It is working every moment of every day. It is working when we rise up, throughout our work day, and in the evening when we return home. Throughout each day, we are challenged by other drivers, by sales clerks, by our bosses, by our spouses, by our children, and by our enemies. How will we deal with them? Will we deal with them based upon our faith and God’s word? Or will we deviate from the faith and handle matters in our own way which usually leads to sin.

God is the one who established the world in this way. He set it up this way because if we did not face the trials of life that challenge us we would not grow. With the “various trials” God’s work in us would have no chance of “being perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Interestingly, in this context, James also says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:16). What he is telling God’s people is that when we face trial it may seem easier, better, wiser to compromise with the faith. To compromise with the truth of God, the faith, is a deception. The only outcome of doing things our own way is sin and death (Proverbs 14:12).

With these things about trials in mind, we might say that trials are among God’s good and perfect gifts to His people. They are a part of the human realm because God, as the Giver of the gifts, desires our enduring the trials in order that we can be made perfect and complete. As God’s work is completed in us, we will be given eternal life.

What trials do you face at this time? Do you count whatever trial or trials you are currently enduring as good and perfect gifts from God above? If that is not your vantage point, consider taking the time to look at your life from this perspective. Even trials are a gift from God for which we should give thanks.

Enjoy God’s gift of the Sabbath.

Gary Smith