Faith in All Circumstances “Real Life” [James] Series [24] James 5:13-15

PRAYER: THE FINAL ADMONITION OF JAMES, “CAMEL KNEES” 5:13To pray for yourself. 5:14To call elders to pray for you. 5:16To pray for one another. Why?The first sign of God-reliance [faith] is prayer. (i.e., self-reliance is revealed in prayerlessness.) Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian. Andrew Murray

WHAT ARE WE TO DO, RESPONDING TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH FAITH? 1) In suffering/troubling days: we are to pray. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. (v.13a)  Why pray? To depend on God. In times of trouble, faith looks to God for God’s wisdom, mercy, and strength.  Otherwise, we become self-reliant, self-absorbed, demanding/angry, and grumbling.  God’s help is real and readily available when life is hard… How? Through prayer.  Therefore, we must take this admonition seriously and act on it as the leading of the Spirit for us in suffering.

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

WHAT ARE WE TO DO, RESPONDING TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH FAITH? 2)In cheerful/good days: we are to sing praises to God. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (v.13b)  “Cheerful” = in good spirit—i.e., when you are doing well.  Why sing praises to God? It is the most frequent command to God’s people who trust in the Heavenly Father as the ultimate source of every good and perfect gift.  Otherwise, we become prideful and wise in our own eyes, which lead us to rely on our own understanding and ways.  Hence, we must make this admonition as our way of life— singing praises to God through songs, psalms, prayer, and conversations.

2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:2-3 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

WHAT ARE WE TO DO, RESPONDING TO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH FAITH? 3)In serious sickness: we are to call elders to pray for us. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (vs.14-15)  Why call for the elders? It is to receive communal prayers and care from the church (elders represent the church).  Otherwise, we turn to individualistic remedies rather than seeking the care from our spiritual community.  Meaning of “oil”: it is (1) medicinal or (2) sacramental, but (3) symbolic. Elders are to do this in Jesus’ name/authority.  Hence, faith during serious sickness leads us to communal prayer and care, experiencing healing of Jesus.

There Is an Ocean of God’s Love Available Often I have heard people say, "How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!" Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. "No, Corrie," said Betsie, "He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him." There is an ocean of God's love available—there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love—whatever the circumstances." - Corrie Ten Boom

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.When you are troubled, PRAY TO DEPEND ON GOD.  Turn from self-reliance, worry, and grumbling.  Turn to God, relying on God’s mercy, grace and power. 2. When you are in good spirit, SING PRAISES TO GOD.  Acknowledge God as the giver of all good things.  Praise God for his mercy, grace, and blessing on you. 3. When you are sick seriously, SEEK COMMUNAL PRAYERS FOR YOU.  Call for church leaders to pray for you.  Ask your spiritual community to pray with/for you.