Perfect Patience Without Want

Jam 1:4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Spurgeon’s comments on James 1:2-4 states that “It is a part of our high calling to rise ourselves into confidence; and it is also our duty to see that none of our brethren despond, much less despair” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). In the book I’m reading, “The Christian Counselor’s Manual,” there is much to be said about hope, which is “to feel that something desired may happen” (APA, 2008). The author remarks that the counselor himself must have hope or the hope for the counselee won’t come across appropriately. Which leads us to another scripture:

Pro 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.

Matthew Henry comments regarding this Proverb and about losing hope, that “…Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation, though not in the thing itself by a denial, yet in the time of it by a delay….” Although, the fulfillment afterwards, “…puts men into a sort of paradise, a garden of pleasure, for it is a tree of life." Knowing that the desire will be fulfilled and that it will be like a tree of life feels like water to our souls when we’re in that desert of despair. Any counselor that comes along and encourages us in the hope of Christ is part of that watering process that keeps us afloat as we endure and persevere through the testing and trying of our faith. Spurgeon comments on the need for faith in James 1:4, “Rob a Christian of his faith and he will be like Samson when his locks were cut away: the Philistines will be upon him and the Lord will have departed from him” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). Spurgeon cautions us that, “A man is very apt to become unbelieving under affliction: that is a sin. He is apt to murmur against God under it: that is a sin. He is apt to put forth his hand to some ill way of escaping from his difficulty: and that would be sin." Taking head to his warnings we should all learn to sit quietly, endure, persevere, and stay right where we’re at. There’s a picture of the movie, Terminator, in my mind when the robot is getting beat to a pulp, yet he continues on and that is a steadfast hope grounded in faith! In order for individuals to obtain their personalized unnatural type of faith Spurgeon states that, “the trial or temptation of each man is distinct from that of every other.” He provides us with great truths from the Bible of the different types of temptations and trials that were afflictions on men. Spurgeon cautions us that we each have an individual temptation, test or trial to endure that we cannot self-induce, but must endure the individual circumstances that the Lord allows and depend on His grace to see us through. When we’re counseling friends, family or in a profession it would be good to head Spurgeon’s caution not to think ourselves so strong that we judge inappropriately. Due to our individual trials he states that, “This is one reason why we often judge one another so severely, because feeling ourselves to be strong in that particular point we argue that the fallen one must have been strong in that point too, and therefore must have willfully and earnestly have determined to do wrong. This may be a cruel supposition” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008).

Through the trials we learn the patience that only the Lord can afford and we learn to accept them as Spurgeon states, “…without a murmur.” Just when you thought you were going off the mental health deep end, Spurgeon clears it all up in that these signs and symptoms that we demonstrate during this testing and trying period will become, “Calm resignation [that] does not come all at once; often long years of physical pain, or mental depression, or disappointment in business, or multiplied bereavements, are needed to bring the soul into full submission to the will of the Lord." Just when we feel relieved of our mental anguish Spurgeon continues to add that there are more TYPES of patience to be learned through ill-treatment and tribulation. The next type is, “the quiet patience which never grows angry, and never ceases to love…”. The final type of patience requires waiting and wisdom in service that we wouldn’t basically run around like chicken’s without heads. He states, “That kind of patience is a jewel more to be desired than the gem which glitters on the imperial brow.” Especially, “…when we can wait without unbelief.” His next comment that we should learn to pray and stay is a wonderful lesson to be learned, but not to be confused with pray and do as the book I’m reading encourages a clear understanding of the difference, (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). My understanding is that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and Martha ran around like a chicken with anxiety. This is not what the Lord wants of us, but that we would sit, listen, wait for Him to call and then act. Certainly we must keep acting in faith looking for open doors and acting through the waiting process, unless He clearly directs otherwise!

There were so many wonderful statement in Spurgeon’s commentary regarding the first chapter of the book of James that it was difficult to capture the entire essence of what truly needs to be stated in order that we become encouraged in our waiting process, that we continue in the hope of Christ and that we do not allow ourselves the unbelief that creeps upon us so quickly when faced with trials. If you have or you’re currently enduring many trials Spurgeon is clear that, “…these much-tempted ones are frequently the most spiritual men, and out of this spirituality comes usefulness” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). This reminds me of Romans 8:28 and how He truly does work all things for the good!

Matthew Henry gives us direction when facing our trials in that “Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God” (Blue Letter Bible, 2008). He continues with the next part of the passage that is so crucial when we’re encouraging each other in what the Lord is doing, what He will continue to do and our responsibility to ask for Him to do it. Reminding us to ask, seek and knock on the door of the Lord’s heart (Matthew 7:7). Matthew assures us that the Lord will give us wisdom when we ask and that there is no limit upon who can ask or how much. If several times each day the temptation or trial is upon you, then ask for wisdom several times a day because the Lord will give it to us liberally.

What an encouragement that we can see when we go through trials they are to produce patient non-complaining believers without want! That we have the tools of Ephesians 6 to fight through these trials, temptations and tests, and the ability to ask the Lord for wisdom liberally that He will provide for us. He promises us peace through all circumstances as we keep our minds set on Him (Isaiah 26:3). He promises us that He will rescue us from every evil attack (2 Timothy 4:18) and that He will give us the power of the Holy Spirit when we ask (Luke 11:13). In closing, Matthew Henry comforts the believers, focusing them on eternal life, in that, “Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above where love is made perfect”(Blue Letter Bible, 2008). So be encouraged that the Lord is a God of knowledge and by Him actions are weighed (2 Samuel 2:3). He sees your heart, He test and tries you in order that you truly may have the perfect patience that has no want!

American Psychological Association (APA):
hope. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 04, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hope

Blue letter bible. (2008). Henry Commentaries. Retrieved August 4, 2008, from http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/charles_spurgeon/sermons/1704.html

Blue letter bible. (2008). Spurgeon Commentaries. Retrieved August 4, 2008, from http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/charles_spurgeon/sermons/1704.html