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PROGRAM D-8404
I’ve been exploring how we can be a part of God’s “en-crowd.” We are to ENcourage each other, ENlarge our hearts, tents, and faith, and ENjoy our salvation.
James gave us a strange direction about enjoyment. In James 1:2-3 we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James says we are to enjoy trials.
It’s good that James didn’t tell us to feel joy, but rather to consider it joy when we face trials. I haven’t met a Christian who was growing and making a difference for Jesus who hasn’t had their share of trials. Every one of those Christians tells me that if they had their choice, they would avoid trials. But they also tell me that only through trials do they grow and learn.
I don’t believe any of us would choose trials; furthermore, I doubt there are many who would voluntarily walk by faith and not by sight. But because we must have faith to please God, he graciously sends trials our way so that our faith will be developed. Therefore, with some Christian maturity, we can learn to say that we consider it pure joy and privilege to face trials. We enjoy trials, not because they feel good, but because they work good into our lives.
The Psalmist wrote, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11). Do you enjoy the presence of Jesus? Do you enjoy being at the right hand of the Father in prayer?
Truly, this is where it’s at. Anytime I take my focus off Jesus, I immediately get in spiritual trouble. You can’t enjoy his presence if you don’t take time to be with him. You can’t enjoy prayer if you don’t learn how to pray. You can’t be a true enjoyer if you don’t enjoy Jesus.
Just go back to your first love of Jesus and enjoy him. Could it be that you know Jesus but you don’t enjoy him? Why not? It is only in his presence that we find true enjoyment, real pleasures, and lasting, eternal happiness.
If you want to be in the “en-group,” ENjoy your salvation, your trials and, most importantly, ENjoy the presence of Jesus.