Finally! by David Jeremiah

Thursday, August 18

Finally! 

You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 
James 5:11 

Recommended Reading James 5:9-12

Different translations give us different insights. The New International Version renders James 5:11 like this: “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.”

Notice that word “finally.” Finally, after waves of attacks, after months of suffering, after hours of conversations, after countless tears. Finally, after loss of life, loss of property, loss of health. Finally, after feckless friends and miserable comforters. Finally, after endless pain and ceaseless prayers. Finally … in His timing … in His will … for His reasons. Finally, God brought it all around for good.

James was writing to Christians who were facing pressures that made them feel like Job, but he told them to persevere. He advised them to work through it to see what the Lord would finally bring about.

God gives us insights during our trials to help us along our journey, and He often weaves them into the simplest words of the Bible such as finally. If you’re facing adversity today, persevere. Wait to see what the Lord will finally bring about.

I’m grateful for those little insights God gives us, aren’t you? I don’t think we’d get through the furnace if He didn’t break through our consciousness and say, “Now wait a minute. I’m here. I’m in this place with you. I’m in the midst of this trial with you.”
David Jeremiah