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So Sad, So Glad by Rocky Fleming

February 8, 2022

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Recently I’ve seen a rash of challenges to godly people who I know that range from sickness to seizures, from discouragement to death, from sadness to deep sorrow.  These are people whose desire it is to serve the Lord and bring Him honor.  I know what’s going on.  But it still makes me sad for them.  Though I know from personal experience the part of the path they are on with Jesus that will allow, and even require these challenges, I feel great empathy for them.

I’m reminded of the empathy that Jesus displayed for Mary and Martha, as they cried out to Him about the death of Lazarus, their brother.  Here is His response:

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.  John 11:33-35 ESV

Jesus wept.  He knew what he was about to do with bringing His dear friend Lazarus back from death and decay.  He knew the great joy Mary and Martha and the others would have when they saw Lazarus walk out of the tomb.  But He wept, even so.  Why do we see this happening?  What do we see in Jesus in this account?  We see His compassion for His friends where they were at the moment.  It shows me that He has this same compassion for His family when we go through our doubts and trials as well.  It shows me that He knows right where we are now in our pain, even though He knows how all our pains and sorrows turn out in the end.  He shows us that He is involved in our life, our hurts and our fears and He is deeply and emotionally involved.  Even though we question Him like Martha did … “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” He still shows His compassion.

In the passage in James that I referenced above, we begin to see why Jesus would not allow His compassion for us to shorten the development of our faith in Him.  Just think of how everyone’s faith in Jesus grew because He waited and did not go immediately to Lazarus?  Instead, He delayed going, for He had a plan, which was to raise Lazarus from the dead.  Can we not see the greater impact that Jesus had on these people because of His plan and not theirs?  Can we trust Him even though we agonize with His delays, or even His plans?

In the passage in James, we see what God is trying to produce in us.  Look at what Jesus’ brother said.  “The testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  James then states that steadfastness perfects us.  What does “steadfastness” mean?  It is defined as firmly fixed in place, immovable, not subject to change, loyal.  A couple of synonyms of the word that stand out to me are, “attachment and closeness.”  What is interesting to me is that these words also describe abiding in Christ.  NOW, this is where we connect the dots.  Can you see them?  Can you see that the ultimate destination and blessing that comes from our trial is a deeper, fixed, and loyal connection with God Himself.  His plan is to lead us to this, and through His compassion He walks us on a difficult path to go there.

Jesus said the discipleship process on this path will be difficult.  He did not mince words about the challenges, trials and even tribulations.  But He promised that he has overcome these things and asks us to trust Him during those times.  He did not say that we would be free of disease or accidents or disabilities or pain or persecution or death.  But He did say that He has overcome them.  He has told us to trust his plans for us, and in Jeremiah 29:11 we read this assurance from God, “'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '”

All of these promises are true, and even though God’s plans may seem hurtful, they are never harmful.  They are strategic in His plans to bless us.  Even though He knows His good plans for us are ahead, He still weeps with compassion for us when we hurt, for that is who He is.  He is a compassionate God.

I feel compassion for my friends and loved ones who are on a very difficult part on their path with Jesus right now.  I think it is because I feel the Spirit’s compassion stirring within me.  But I also feel His assurance that He has them in His care.  I know where He is leading them and for this reason, I rejoice about what is coming ahead in their lives.  I don’t know if they will see an experience like Lazarus walking out of the grave.  But I know they will see an end to their sorrows, and those sorrows will be replaced with a deeper joy that they had never known before.  How do I know this?  I know Him.  That is what my “attachment and closeness” to Him has produced.  My experience with Him with my trials and His help with them has increased my faith in Him.  The trials were as necessary as a heart transplant is to a diseased heart in a dying patient.

Any of His children who will allow Him to take them to an abiding relationship with Him through their own trials, will find that they too become steadfast with Him, and this is where great fruit is produced through their lives.  Jesus has promised this.  So, don’t fear the process, for that is all it is.  It is a process of development for your soul and life.  Instead, trust the outcome of your life to a loving and compassionate God, for He is with you through it all.