A Sheer Gift

In life, every one of us will walk through that tunnel of voices, where we are tempted to respond to the voices of greed, of lies, gossip, betrayal, lust.

The epistle of James has a word for all believers this morning:

James 1:2-4 “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So do not try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

in other words, when life is full of tests and temptations, change your attitude to one of joy. It means you are getting ready to move into a new chapter of your life. What you do with tests decides whether you move forward or go to a holding pattern. Testing produces something in you that does not come from mere study and sermons. God wants us to be victorious in these tests. Victory in tests is a foundation for the next chapter. So, consider it pure joy.

God had to use two tests to prepare Joseph for his destiny- a test of purity and of patience. He passed one and moved forward but failed the other and got stuck for two years.

WHEN GOD GIVES YOU A VISION OF WHAT MIGHT BE, HE’LL ALSO GIVE YOU A TEST THAT THE VISION NEEDS. THE VISION (IF IT IS OF GOD), HAS HIS LIFE IN IT, AND IT HELPS YOU TO BE VICTORIOUS IN THE TESTS GOD PLACES BEFORE YOU.

“So, watch your step, friends. Make sure there is no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as God is still calling it Today, keep each other on your toes so sin does not slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we are in this with Christ for the long haul. These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; do not turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.” Hebrews 3:12-14

Joseph wins the test of PURITY but gets sent to prison. Prison is where he would get promoted. Being implicated and put in prison was going forward.

Genesis 39:21 ” But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. He granted him favour in the sight of the prison warden.” (Test of purity- passed)

Genesis 40:14 “Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh and so get me out of this house.” (Test of patience- failed)

God had already extended kindness to him, but Joseph was asking for kindness from the cupbearer. He was then stuck for two years- Genesis 41:1

JOSEPH WAS ASKING FOR SOMETHING THAT GOD ALREADY GAVE HIM!!

Why was this test important?

If Joseph did not show patience in God’s test, he would not be able to show patience when he met his brothers (who had wronged him and sold him to slave traders) some 20 years later.

If your desire is to please God, and there is an increase of tests, temptations, and it is intense, count it pure joy. You are being prepared for the next place God is bringing you to. The louder the voices, the closer you are getting to the next place.

Amy Carmichael’s letter to her staff. Of Irish origin, she dedicated her life to the rescue and rehab of thousands of children sold to temples as prostitutes, those who lived in spiritual and moral danger. Her mission was registered in 1927 as Dohnavur Fellowship in South India.

“The fight to which you have been called is not an easy fight. We are touching the centre of the devil’s power and kingdom, and he hates us intensely and fights hard against us. We have no chance of winning this fight unless we are disciplined soldiers, utterly uncompromising men, and women of prayer. So first, give much time to quietness. We have to get our help for the most part from our God. We are here to help, not to be helped and we must each learn to walk with God alone, feed on his Word so we can be nourished. Do not only read and pray but listen. Do not evade the slightest whisper of His guidance that comes. God make you sensitive and obedient. Fill up the crevices of time with things that matter the most. This will cost something, but it is worth it. No one is of much use who does not truly want to learn how to pray and listen and definitely choose the life that is hid with Christ in God. Keep close, keep close; if you are close, you will be keen.”

James says this about the fight we all face, about the tunnel of voices we pass through.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:12-15 ESV

Every temptation produces something in us, every victory produces something in us and for the next chapter of our lives. Intensity and increase precede something God is about to do.

When James uses the word “enticed” he means being baited or lured. The enemy wants to drag us away from our destiny. He baits us. He says to Joseph, “the cupbearer can get you out of prison soon.” You need a job- “talk to that person, he can get you through.”

Fish will not take the bait because of three things:

Swimming with a school (staying in fellowship with other believers regularly; do not isolate yourself from other believers.)

Swimming deep (deeper in serving, praying, reading, studying the Word, and witnessing.)

Feeding regularly (you cannot get through these tests by eating once a week on Sunday).

God is telling Joseph “You need to be pure and patient to sit on the throne. Without the fruit of self-control, you cannot lead a nation.” Some are stuck listening to the voices. God is saying, “When you go through that tunnel of voices don’t talk to those voices, talk to Me.”

Do not look to someone else for kindness when God has already extended it to you.

When you face tests, trials, and temptations, do not try to get out of it prematurely. Let God do a work in you, so that you become mature sons and daughters.