NT24 FastSample

Day 20 by Matt Butler, Associate Pastor of UPPERROOM Dallas

Today’s Reading: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Do you know you are able to possess a faith that is living and breathing? Not an ethereal faith that comes from clichés and sayings (the kind hanging on your Grandma’s wall in a picture frame). No, Jesus made a way for you to possess real faith, anchored in complete endurance, abundant wisdom, lacking in NOTHING...

A lot like me, you are probably saying: “Wait. This sounds great and all, but how do I get there?!” First and foremost, our faith comes from looking at Jesus and only Him. From that place, our faith is matured and perfected. But how? From TRIALS (I know. I felt a shiver go down my spine, too). If we are honest, no one likes a trial, which is why we have to consider them a joy - not feel, see, or know them as one.

So... this begs the question: How do I consider trials a joy? Or better yet, how do I rightly respond to trials? Start with these two truths: Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and we can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5). Please do not try to muster up endurance, wisdom, or try to power through trials on your own. Take it from me: it does NOT work! Nor does it end well. Instead, walk through the trial with an open heart and be vulnerable before the Lord. This means giving Him the good, the bad, and the ugly - no matter how new, raw, or even wrong this may feel to you.

David was the poster child for this (1 Kings 15:3). Not because he was squeaky-clean perfect through the many trials he faced in his lifetime. It was because he bore his heart before the Lord - coming before Him humbly and weak in the midst of the most intense moments. This allows the Holy Spirit to be strong where we are weak. To fill us up with strength and joy to endure, wisdom to know when to “turn left and right,” and lack absolutely NOTHING. So, if you are facing any trial today, whether immense or seemly trivial, please pray this with me:

Prayer: Father, I repent for withholding any place of my heart from You. At this moment, I give You permission to peer into my heart. See all of me, Lord. I trust that You hear me when I let You in on my feelings and even my darkest thoughts during this trial. You are safe for me. Thank You for being the perfect Father You are. Thank You for making me Your son/daughter. Fill me with Your thoughts, Your strength, Your perfect wisdom. Help me, Holy Spirit, to continually abide in Your Presence - to not leave the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 36:7). Do Your work, Jesus. Use this to mature me. Remind me that You want a relationship with me in this. Perfection is not Your goal. I thank You and praise You!