Look at James and Hebrews

James talked about enduring trials, but what kinds of trials was James talking about?  I found this in Hebrews and thought that it was applicable to what we are discussing.  It is important for us to understand that faith results in actions.  Sometimes these actions are quite sever.  However, going through these trials build us up in Christ and gives us the endurance needed to run our race well.  Below is a table that shows some people in the Old Testament who were tested.

Two things of note.  First, in Hebrews 11:29 the author briefly mentions when Israel crossed the Red Sea. Now something that may be overlooked in the casual reading of this little verse… each individual had to make a decision to trust God and pass through the waters.  Any one who would have stayed behind, even though they would be “elect” of God would have died at the hands of Egypt (the World system). Those who truly believed God and used that faith to move forward were spared death.  Without faith in God they would have never moved. 

  
Second is the entirety of Hebrews 11:35-40 shows the trials that others before us have had to go through.  These things they endured not only demonstrated their faith, but; gave a benefit for us. Without these martyrs we would not have examples of what faith looks like in action.  We would not have the benefit of being able to trust in the Lord without seeing the faithfulness of God in their sufferings.  We could even go so far as to say that without the trials of the faithful who have gone before us, we would not know God.  Why then do we go through trials.   

Hebrews 11:17-33

Faith	Who	Action
By Faith	Abraham	Offered Isaac in obedience of faith and trust in God
By Faith	Isaac	Blessed Jacob and Esau’s future trusting the promise of God
By Faith	Jacob	When dying Blessed his sons future trusting the promise of God
By Faith	Joseph	Commanded his bones be brought out of Egypt; believing God
By Faith	Moses’ Parents	Hid him 3 months without fear
By Faith	Moses	Refused to be a son of the Pharaoh’s daughter
By Faith	Moses	Forsook Egypt
Through Faith	Moses	Kept the Passover in obedience through faith
By Faith	Moses and Israel	Passed through the Red Sea in obedience through faith
By Faith	Joshua and Israel	Fell the Walls of Jericho by obedience to the Lord
By Faith	Rehab	Received mercy salvation
Through Faith	Various Judges	Subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, etc… all through obedience in faith

Take some time this week to search out these examples and see what these saints did because of their faith.  If we believe that Jesus is the Lord and stand in that faith, then we will receive trials.  Trials are a good thing. Trials help us to grow and mature in our faith.  Trials help us to trust more on the Lord and his promises.  Trials help others to trust in the Lord and give an opportunity for others to learn how to respond in trials, and to encourage their own faith and endurance.