Free Educational Resources for the Public from Grace Communion Seminary

The last five months have been unusual, to say the least. You have probably experienced delays, cancellations, rearrangements, and disappointments. Some have experienced grievous loss of loved ones. And most if not all of these circumstances have been beyond our control. Such situations do indeed play on our anxieties and fears and test our faith in the living God.

Perhaps some of you found yourself reviewing the book of James: “…whenever you face various kinds of trials/temptations.” I had to recall that James tells us that we can regard all these things adding up to joy because of who our Triune God is. He mentions four things regarding the God he and his readers worshiped. God 1) gives, 2) gives to all, 3) gives to all generously, and 4) gives without reproach (not making us wish we had never asked).

Our Triune God, revealed in Jesus Christ and by his Word and Spirit, remains the same in character and purpose whether we are in the midst of trials and temptations or not. Our Triune God’s working is not thwarted by our earthly circumstances, even if they are moved by the remnant of evil powers operating in our fallen world.

Our God remains faithful, remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The meaning and purpose of our lives in Christ cannot be taken from us. Our Triune Creator and Redeemer God remains sovereign over all—upholding, guiding, cooperating and overruling. Our gracious God does not allow anything that he cannot ultimately redeem.

That truth is most powerfully lived out in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus for us and our salvation. Even crucifixion could not stop the Lord Jesus from accomplishing his redemptive purpose. In fact, it was incorporated into it by the gracious providence of our Triune God. “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2).

But we “fight the fight of faith,” especially when trials and temptations draw close. But that is what we are taught to expect. That’s what Jesus prays about in his high priestly or intercessory prayer for us in John 17. Knowing and counting on his eternal purpose to leave us, for a little while, in this fallen world as his disciples and witnesses, is not easy. But being renewed daily in faith, hope and love toward our Redeemer God is the right struggle to be in. For our God is the one who gives, gives to all, gives generously and gives without reproach. Jesus, “for the joy set before him endured the cross”—for us!