Stand the Test

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

All of the prior verses up to verse 12 have been strong and forceful about counting all trials as “pure joy” and seeking wisdom, and realizing that anything short of wisdom is fleeting…gone in a moment’s notice.

Every day we wake up to news of a disaster somewhere.  Either a fire is burning and destroying communities, a flood is washing away entire homes, or some evildoer has shot and killed innocent people.  We receive news that someone is terminally ill, we hear that a dear friend is now in rehab for addiction to drugs, or we just wake up too depressed to get out of bed. 

These things are hard, unbearable, and downright discouraging.

And yet…James says we are blessed if we persevere.  If we press through, persist, push…not by the strength of our own arms and legs but by the strength that comes by believing in God and his goodness…no matter what.

It’s then that we receive a “crown of life” that has been promised to us.  

It’s not a crown of jewels (to be passed to another when our beauty fades), it’s not a crown of thorns (he already wore that for us), and it’s not a crown of herbs and flowers (that die over time).  It’s an eternal crown of happiness and bliss – with no more pain – ever.

I can’t even imagine that.  But it’s real.  And it’s for you and me, when we get up and keep running toward “the prize” – in Christ Jesus. 

He won’t disappoint because he is the great Promise Keeper.