Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avisandum. James writes at the beginning of his letter, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.
On the face of it this is a very perplexing. who in a right mind rejoices in the middle of trials. We rejoice in the triumphs and the successes of life, but surely not when trials blow into our lives.
Now, there are some Christians who seem to constantly shout, Hallelujah, praise the Lord, but most of us regard them as somewhat phony. As if they're trying to impress us with their spirituality or trying to produce some hype in themselves to help them through life. In the next verse, the Apostle James explains what he means. for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. He goes on to say, And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
That's James chapter 1, verse 4. Our joy comes from focusing on the result. If we respond well to our trials, and are steadfast, we then spiritually mature. In Romans five, Paul reminds us that we rejoice in our sufferings as we know that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. The focus is on the result.
In every day life we have an understanding of this. Athletes may not enjoy the discipline and the repetition of training, yet they have joy in reminding themselves of the result. The training, the trial, produces discipline. and that discipline produces endurance. The athlete is then ready for the game or the match.
In Scripture many people find themselves in the toughest of situations. yet they realized that God had placed them there for their good and for His glory. Think of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He's betrayed by his brothers.
sold into slavery, falsely accused of a serious crime, and he ends up imprisoned. He experiences a series of hard tests. But at the end of Genesis he says to his brother, What you meant for evil? God meant for good. God was with Joseph.
The trials in prison produced a maturity, a wisdom, and a strength which served him well when he was second in command to Pharaoh. Before Moses led the people of Israel through the Red Sea, he spent forty years in the wilderness. He left all of Egypt's pleasures and riches. But in the desert, looking for sheep, he was being prepared by God. Joshua Spent forty years in the wilderness.
wandering from Egypt to the Promised Land. In these difficulties, he was being equipped by God to lead his people into Israel. King David spent part of his life being pursued by evil Saul, who was trying to kill him. But during that hard time David grew in his understanding of God. The Psalms he wrote reflect on the Lord being his deliverer, his fortress, his salvation, his shepherd, his rock, and so on.
Without these difficult experiences David may never have learned such a deep knowledge of God. Jonah, the runaway prophet, had to experience a storm at sea, and being swallowed by a big fish, before he was ready to preach the message of the Lord to the pagan Ninevites. In the New Testament, Peter experienced the bitterness of denying the Lord. But it was there he was faced. with his own weakness and pride.
In that hard lesson he realized the importance of always keeping his eyes on the Lord. and throughout his life he would have been reminded of that trial every time he heard a rooster crow. John the Baptist had his preparation. not in the palace, not in the school, but in the harsh conditions of the wilderness, where he ate locusts and wild honey. In the austere and silent wilderness John experienced God.
He was then ready boldly to preach the message of repentance. The Apostle Paul spent time in Arabia being prepared by God. The Apostle John ended his last days isolated in the Isle of Patmos. There in his loneliness he received the revelation of Jesus Christ and wrote the last book of the Bible. These are some examples of those in Scripture who experience deep trials.
but then were greatly used by God. When you go through trials and suffering, You're in good company. At the moment you may feel overlooked, you may be suffering, you may be going through some deep disappointment. Remember, the Lord is with you. The Lord is sovereign in your life.
Trust Him. Think of what the trials are producing, and so rejoice in the Lord, and that joy of the Lord will be your strength. Yes, even in the midst of trials, God is working all things for good.
So counted all joy. Avizando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms.
For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
