There are so many great verses in the Bible aren’t they? And this is one of them. This stand-alone verse bridges the gap between a concluding introduction and the start of another one.
And we are brought back to the teaching of Jesus.
“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.” (James 1 v 12)
The word ‘Blessed’ is the healthy well-being of a person and yes, happiness. The Beatitudes jump to our minds. A list not to be achieved but to be recognised as what actually is. Preachers would often preach that we should be poor in spirit to be part of the kingdom. But not so much now since Dallas Willard’s Divine Conspiracy, which enables us to see the list as descriptive not prescriptive.
The world teaches us that happiness is achieved with what you have gained or earned. Jesus teaches us that happiness is found in Him. Those that enter the kingdom are people who realise that all that they chased after would never have satisfied anyway.
So who is blessed? It is the one who is not wanting sympathy, they are not giving up, they are holding on. You see, happiness is not dependent on circumstances, it is dependent on the Lord in the circumstance. The crown of life is eternal but it is also now.
There is a period of waiting during the trial, it is a test, but we serve One who was also tested in fact in every way and never failed. “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” (Isaiah 28:16)
A tested stone. In every way possible He was tried, tempted, tested and He came out totally obedient.
Here is the guarantee. If you are under trial today and holding on then joy is yours that the world cannot give; victory is yours for Christ has overcome the world; dignity is yours though you originally felt worthless; you can grow through this suffering for He is with you.
Missions Paul 