James 1:11-12

"For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits." James 1:11

Now let's come to the end of Jame's comparison between the two peoples and trials and really squeeze from Our Father all that He will avail here.

First, we are reminded that God is ONLY love... and maybe somebody takes issue with my saying that today. I know in the case for Christ, God's people waited for a King who would ride in and revenge the evil reign of their day... and instead, watched as He soon laid down His life. Today, we know how much more powerful a Kings Love was over any other kind of powerful ruler they would have settled for... so why does saying that God is ONLY love diminish His power in any way? But, the fact remains that God loves every man... even the "rich" man! We must consider that right now. And too, James did not say "all rich men... but "the" rich man... one type in particular... a certain kind of man out of the other rich men. That shows that being rich is not the problem. It is not wrong to have received much... to be "responsible" over a large portion of "God's blessing".

Remembering that James is a Jew, and very well versed with the OT teachings... we know his reference to the sun and grass is from Is 57:15; 66:2; Job 14:2; Ps 37:2,35,36; 90:5,6; and 102:11... which describe man's life here on earth as but a mere flash compared to an eternity awaiting us... the finality of this body of ours... and everything as we see it now.

But the man that is "pursuant" of the riches and NOT God, whom availed all things to us, does not know when God will say, "that's enough"... or as He said to King Belshazzar in, the writing on the wall... "mene, mene, tekel, upharsin", interpreted by Daniel to mean that God had weighed Belshazzar and his kingdom, had found them wanting, and would destroy them: Dan. 5:25. Your time is up and all things will be weighed... from God's perspective. Amen?

And then we look again now at the comparison...

12. "Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him."

You have to excuse the Amplified anywhere you see the word "blessed", because it adds... "happy, and to be envied"... now, I like to be reminded every time I see it. I am still flesh and blood and I NEED REMINDED OFTEN that we are HAPPY and TO BE ENVIED whom are patient under trial and stand up under temptation. Why? "For when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him." Praise God.

We'll look at this "crown of life" more in detail later, but there are many riches awaiting for us, Brothers and Sisters.

Let's pick up with James verses 1:13-15 next time.

I love you.

YOUR CROWN

It was too late at that point in eternity to change it,
my life on earth had afforded one quite inadequate.

But now... there it was, waiting for me,
my gift, Your crown, to give to thee.

Holding it in my hands to bring to you,
wishing I'd done all that you'd willed me to do.

What happened next I could've never fathomed,
my understanding of love was still like a chasm.

I watched as You set each crown one into the other,
as they fit into the next the two made one together.

Many inlaid of pearl, many with jewels to behold,
even a few more like mine made of only gold.

Many more were brought and set before You,
greater and greater the crown grew to adorn You.

Even in my struggles to do what You had willed,
I see now, Your love was set all along to be fulfilled.

By: Preston Pittman "YOUR CROWN"

I love You.