Verse of the Day 7/6

Through the Bible - Job 37-38, Acts 15   Good morning, This weekend's message from our Pastor Bob dealt with perseverence.  It was part of a series "Choose".  The point being that in and through the trials of life we have the choice to persevere or to turn away from God and to ourselves.   My mom loves to work with kids and for years she worked in Sunday School, AWANA Clubs, and children's church teaching and singing.  One of the "fun" songs that she would lead the kids through was called "The Lion Hunt".  It was a fun song where she would lead the kids on a lion hunt.  In doing so they would have to go through tall grass, through swamps and rivers, all kinds of obstacles .  The key line was "can't go under it, can't go over it, can't go around it, gotta go through it."  That's how it is with the trials of life.   That memory came to me when the message focused on James 1:2 where we'll go for today's verse.   Bob quoted from the J.B. Phillips translation: James 1:2 When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends. I had my Amplified Bible with me which reads: James 1:2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. The Amplified versions struck me.  Think about what it means to be wholly joyful.  It's not superficial, it goes down deep.  It is rock solid.  But not in ourselves.  It is only possible if we are rooted, firmly grounded in our faith.   Then think of being this way, having this attitude while being "enveloped" in a trial.  The Greek word for "trial" connotes trouble, or something that breaks the pattern of peace, comfort, and happiness in one's life (MacArthur).  The trials of life can "crowd us".  The word enveloped (Amp.Bible) paints a picture of being sealed in.  Seeing no way out on your own.  Another word might be trapped.    But seeing is not believing, we live by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).   Have you found yourself in situations where you've had these feelings.  Have you been able to experience joy?   This is different from "happy" and  is not what we're talking about.  It is a joy that is beyond the here and now but is rooted in faith, trust, and hope in Christ and in His salvation.   Regarding the choice to persevere, MacArthur notes that in order to "count it all joy", the believer must make a conscious effort to face the trials with joy.   Not an easy thing to do, but with God "all things are possible". (Matt. 10:27)   Isa 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."   NIV   In Christ, Mike James 1:1-9 Greeting to the Twelve Tribes 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. Profiting from Trials 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. NKJV