This is always a tough verse when first read. It always was for me anyway...I mean who really thinks a trial or a struggle is "pure joy?" Seriously? I'm not in the midst of a great trial, at least not as of this minute. However, that can change in a heartbeat for me, ....or for you. I do have a lot of times that my faith is tested. And I fail the test. I mean I really bomb it! I fail to believe that God is there. I fail to believe that He's at work and going to come through for me. I fail to believe that He truly cares for me. I fail to believe that He's doing what He says He will do if I trust Him. I fail. You fail. Our flesh fails...every time. In our failures, we tend to jump back and try to do differently. Isn't that what we are told in this world? Get back up and in the race! Jump back in there and give it your all! Only that doesn't work here. Why? Because we have nothing to give. Nothing to offer. What could the God of the Universe possibly need from us? He created it all and sustains it all.
We were recently watching some type of "Strongest Man" competition on television. Some of these men were pulling jet airplanes as a demonstration of their strength. I can barely lift all the groceries out of my van some days. I can't even imagine pulling an airplane. That would be the image of us attempting to carry the load of our trials though. It is NOT the image that God gives to us. We have nothing to prove. We bring nothing to the table with God. Why? Because He has it all, and He FREELY gives it to us.
The key to the joy found in a trial as our faith is being tested is letting go of us and trusting Him to do the work. There's a relief there that it's not up to us and that we can trust in our God. This joy found in the midst of trials only comes when we let go because God's at work and in control. He's got this! That verse doesn't say muster up enough perseverance so that you can be mature. No, it says "LET perseverance finish its work." Let God show Himself in you and through you, so you can watch Him in amazement and trust Him more. If you were told you had to pull an airplane today, wouldn't it bring you great joy to hand over the ropes to someone else...someone stronger? THAT is joy in trials, testing of faith, and perseverance in action by a great God Who is capable and willing to pull the weight. Let Him finish the work...the work that He began.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."Psalm 73:26
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