were getting a chance to see anoth er side of life. The Lord wanted them to be prepared for the things He had yet ahead of them. So of ten we fail to see the transitoriness of riches. The illustration is of the flower and the grass that pass away. The example of plant life shows us things that exist for a time and then almost as suddenly as they appeared, they wither and die. How true we have seen this to be. There is no problem in looking at the benefit of riches as long as we keep in perspective that they are transitory. They are only for a time and then are gone. If God is pleased to give you something, thank Him for it and remember that it is still His. He can take it again if He so chooses. Riches are certainly not permanent. Then, there is also the inevit ability of judgment. James reminds us of the sun rising with a scorch ing wind. The fifth chapter likewise cautions about those who take ad vantage of others. Those who do are warned, "Weep and mourn" because judgment is coming. While His final and complete recompense has not as yet come you may be sure that it will. They cannot pos sibly be escaped! What you do with the things God has given to you is tremendously important. The trials of life may come to the poor man in suddenly giving him an exhalted position. If this is your circumstance, you need wisdom in knowing how to deal with that con dition. The rich man on the other hand may be brought low. He, too, will need wisdom to cope with the hardship. Coping with trials requires that we set our attitudes. We must make requests of God for wisdom since
none of us can avoid trials. How will you face fears, frustrations, problems, perplexities, testings and tribulations. May you turn to the Lord for the strength that is so vi tally necessary. No one can possibly live in this life without trials and testings. Some seem to have more of a load to carry than others, but none can escape problems. There are also temptations which nag at us and would destroy our communion with the Lord. This is a continuing difficulty for us to experience (James 1:12-15). Thank God, how ever, there is wonderful victory promised through the power of God's indwelling Holy Spirit. The Christian life is not to be a garden of roses. We are called upon to be soldiers of Jesus Christ. We may have to be placed in the crucible of training so we can come out strong for the battle. We should never cease to be thankful for the fact that the Lord gives us encouragement in the midst of trial. This is the way by which we can cope with our troubles. We are told, "Blessed is the man who endureth temptation." Endur ance is the verb from which our word patience comes. This means the ability to live under the cir cumstances. "Blessed is the man who can bear this thing on his shoulders." The truth is that Christ is the one who carries it for him. The tense which is used is the pres ent, showing that these problems exist right now. This brings to focus this matter of being able to live in the midst of trial. The reward of endurance is Christ's approval which will mean receiving the crown of life which
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