Thy Will Be Done
Counting it all joy in trials is a sign of dependence on God and a growing faith that rejoices in the Living God.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of finding joy in trials as a sign of being in God's will, highlighting the need to depend on God, walk in the Holy Spirit, and abide in Jesus Christ. He explains that God's way is not just to meet our needs instantly, but to provide in a way that constantly reminds us of His unfailing love and care. Stanford also discusses the temporary nature of spiritual experiences, pointing out that true faith can rejoice in God even when circumstances seem contrary to His promises, and that the divine life thrives when our fleshly desires are subdued and we look to Jesus in weakness.
Text
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various trials" (James 1:2).
You can be sure that you are in the will of God when He keeps you dependent upon Himself, walking in the Holy Spirit, and abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Often all we think of is, having our need met; but how little a thing is that with God! It would cost Him nothing, we may say, to meet the need of a lifetime in a moment; and a lesser love than His would supply it at once, and get rid of the constant burden.
"But that is not His way. To supply the need is a small thing; but to supply it in such a way as to make us feel in each seasonable supply the Father's heart never withdrawn from us, the Father's heart ever employed about us--that is what He means. 'Give us our daily bread': is it not much more than to ask, 'Give us now, that we may not have to come again?'"
"The God-given experience of the Spirit's working many a time passes away, and leaves the soul apparently dull and dead. This is only until the double lesson has been fully learnt: (1) that a living faith can rejoice in the Living God, even when feeling and experience appear to contradict the promise (Romans 8:28, 29); and (2) that the divine life only predominates as the life of the flesh is held in the place of death, inoperative (Romans 6:11a). The life of the Lord Jesus is revealed as His death works in us (2 Corinthians 4:11, 12), and as in weakness and nothingness we look to him (2 Corinthians 3:18)." -A.M.
"Knowing this, that the testing of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3).
Sermon Outline
- Counting it all joy in trials
- Dependence on God
- Walking in the Holy Spirit
- Abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ
Key Quotes
“Often all we think of is, having our need met; but how little a thing is that with God!” — Miles J. Stanford
“Give us our daily bread': is it not much more than to ask, 'Give us now, that we may not have to come again?'” — Miles J. Stanford
“The life of the Lord Jesus is revealed as His death works in us” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Practically, this means learning to rejoice in God's presence and love even when your feelings contradict the promise.
- It also means holding your flesh in the place of death, allowing the divine life to predominate in your life.
- By doing so, you'll experience spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's will for your life.