Page 1195 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_11_MacArthur_Bible_Nov.qxd 8/8/03 17:10 Page 1176

NOVEMBER 21
DAY 20: How can James expect Christians to “count it all joy”
when they face difficulties and trials (1:2)?

The Greek word for “count”may also be translated “consider”or “evaluate.”The natural human
response to trials is not to rejoice; therefore the believer must make a conscious commitment to
face them with joy.“Trials”connote troubles or things that break the pattern of peace, comfort, joy,
and happiness in someone’s life.The verb form of this word means “to put someone or something
to the test,”with the purpose of discovering that person’s nature or that thing’s quality. God brings
such tests to prove—and increase—the strength and quality of one’s faith and to demonstrate its
validity (vv.2–12).Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen.If the believer fails the
test by wrongly responding, that test then becomes a temptation or a solicitation to evil.
“Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (v. 3).This means “proof” or “prov-
ing.” This testing produces “endurance” or “perseverance.” Through tests, a Christian will learn to
withstand and even cherish the benefit of the pressure of a trial until God removes it at His appoint-
ed time.
“But let patience have its perfect work”(v. 4).This is not a reference to sinless perfection (3:2),
but to spiritual maturity (1 John 2:14). The testing of faith drives believers to deeper communion
and greater trust in Christ—qualities that in turn produce a stable, godly, and righteous character.
“That you may be…complete.”From a compound Greek word that means “all the portions whole.”
10 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the
November 21 house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our trans-
gressions and our sins lie upon us, and we
pine away in them, how can we then live?” ’
11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I
Ezekiel 33:1–34:31
have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but
Again the word of the LORD came to me, that the wicked turn from his way and live.
2
33 saying, “Son of man, speak to the chil- Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should
dren of your people, and say to them: ‘When I you die, O house of Israel?’
bring the sword upon a land, and the people of 12 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the
the land take a man from their territory and children of your people: ‘The righteousness of
3
make him their watchman, when he sees the the righteous man shall not deliver him in the
sword coming upon the land, if he blows the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness
trumpet and warns the people, then whoever of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in
4
hears the sound of the trumpet and does not the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor
take warning, if the sword comes and takes shall the righteous be able to live because of his
him away, his blood shall be on his own head. righteousness in the day that he sins.’ When I
13
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did say to the righteous that he shall surely live,
not take warning; his blood shall be upon him-
self. But he who takes warning will save his
6
life. But if the watchman sees the sword com-
ing and does not blow the trumpet, and the 33:2–9 watchman. Such men as Jeremiah
people are not warned, and the sword comes and Ezekiel (3:16–21) were spiritual watchmen
and takes any person from among them, he is (33:7–9), warning that God would bring a
taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will sword on His people so that they had oppor-
require at the watchman’s hand.’ tunity to prepare and be safe. This analogy
7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a came from the custom of putting guards on
watchman for the house of Israel; therefore the city wall watching for the approach of
you shall hear a word from My mouth and danger, then trumpeting the warning.
warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked,
8
‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you 33:4 his blood…on his own head. Once the
do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, watchman did his duty, the responsibility
that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but passed to each person.Each person is account-
his blood I will require at your hand. Never- able for his own response to God’s warnings,
9
theless if you warn the wicked to turn from his whether to die in judgment or to live as one
way, and he does not turn from his way, he who heeded and repented.Ezekiel had been a
shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered very faithful and obedient “watchman.”
your soul.

1176