PERSEVERE UNDER TRIAL

Passage: James 1:9-12

Key verse: 12

NIV

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.(A) 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.(B) 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat(C) and withers(D) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.(E) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(F) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life(G) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.(H)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and (A)the rich in his humiliation, because (B)like a flower of the grass[a] he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and (C)withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 (D)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive (E)the crown of life, (F)which God has promised to those who love him.

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Footnotes
  1. James 1:10 Or a wild flower
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. True riches and things that fade (9-11)

God exalts the humble and puts down the proud. So the brother in humble circumstances can be a spiritual leader among God's people. James 2:5 says that God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom. On the other hand, those who have material abundance should not take pride in their material possessions. They should take pride only in the cross of Jesus. The things of the world pass away like wild flowers in the hot sun.

2. The crown of life (12)

When the hot sun of trials and persecution rises, we must not dry up and fade away. We must persevere under trial. The trials of life are tests of faith. Whatever the trial may be, if we trust God and persevere, we will be blessed by God. God has promised a crown of life to those who love him. If we love God and do not doubt his love for us, he gives us strength to persevere. God's blessings are our true riches.

Prayer: Lord, help me to know what is valuable; help me to persevere under trial.

One Word: Love God; receive a crown of life