James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
The testing of our faith produces perseverance. “Perseverance forges our character to produce fruit”. The dictionary meaning of “Perseverance” is “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success”. Perseverance is persistence without a quitting attitude. Lack of patience, motivation and passion can drain perseverance and enthusiasm. A study by the University of Scranton concluded that only 8% of people achieve their goals, while 92% give up too quickly when overwhelmed by challenges.
We see the same attitude in those who are chosen and called to live for Christ. In the ebbing tests and trials of life, many lose heart and give up. Just as some fruits take longer to ripen, some tests last for a longer duration. The longer the test the sweeter the fruit!
The woman with the issue of blood endured the physical illness of painful bleeding for 12 long years. However, the duration of the test of her faith produces perseverance. When she heard about the Miracle Man called Jesus, she clothed herself (probably) in black, covered herself fully as she was not allowed to appear in public and touched the hem of His garment. Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak (Matthew 9:20). The hem or the tassel of a Jewish Rabbi was embroidered with 613 Mosaic commandments and served as a reminder to obey the laws. Her faith in God’s Word and His commandments during the 12 long years of waiting did not diminish. She didn’t even make an attempt to talk to Jesus; she just reached out to the Word that brings healing.
Testing produces perseverance:
- Test: Testing of our faith produces perseverance and patience.
- Tassel: Testing of our faith is another opportunity to put the Word of God to practice. Reach out to the tassel to mature through the test.
- Triumph: Testing of our faith is a set-up for success not failure. Faith always triumphs.
The longer the test the sweeter the fruit!
Prayer: Father God, help me to get excited when I face challenges as an opportunity to produce more fruit. Amen.
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