I. Question: "What does it mean to count it all joy (James 1:2)?

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“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing
of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4, ESV).
When James says to “count it all joy,” he encourages his readers to evaluate the way they look
at trials. He calls believers to develop a new and improved attitude that considers trials
from God’s perspective. James wants believers to know to expect “trials of various kinds”
(James 1:2) in the Christian life. We should be prepared and not caught off guard when a sudden
trial comes upon us. Trials are part of the Christian experience. Jesus told His disciples, “In this
world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).
Typically, a trial is not an occasion for joy. James isn’t suggesting that we pursue trials or court
hardship; neither are we to pretend that trials are enjoyable to endure. Trials are difficult and
painful. But they exist for a purpose.
Trials have the potential of producing something good in us, and, for this reason, they are an
opportunity for expressing joy. Knowing there is a bigger picture, we can consider trials as things
to rejoice in. Even though joy is contrary to our normal reaction, James urges us to work on
changing our attitude toward troubles from dread to positive expectation, faith, trust, and even
joy.
James does not merely say “count it joy,” but he says “count it all joy”; that is, we can consider
trials and testings as pure, unalloyed, total joy. Too often, we see trials in a negative light, or we
assume that joy cannot exist in hardship; worse, we consider the hard times as God’s curse upon
us or His punishment for our sin, rather than what they really are—opportunities to joyfully
mature into Christlikeness.
James 1:3 explains that God intends trials to test our faith and produce spiritual perseverance.
Trials are like training challenges for an athlete. They build physical endurance and stamina.
The athlete looks forward to physical and mental challenges because of the benefits that follow. If
we were to walk through life on easy street and never face hardship, our Christian character
would remain untested and underdeveloped. Trials develop our spiritual muscles, giving us the
stamina and endurance to stay the course (Romans 5:2–5).
We can count it all joy in trials because in them we learn to depend on God and trust Him. Faith
that is tested becomes genuine faith, rugged faith, uncompromising faith: “In all this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These
have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which
perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is
revealed” (1 Peter 1:6–7).
God also uses trials to discipline us: “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may
share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Trials help to purge our spiritual shortcomings and
mature our faith. They promote joy because they produce holiness in the life of steadfast
believers.
James encourages Christians to embrace trials not for what they presently are, but for the
outcome God will accomplish through them. James 1:12 promises, “Blessed is the one who
perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life
that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
When Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:1–38), he could not see the
beautiful, life-saving outcome that God would accomplish through his years of suffering and
perseverance in Egypt. After his ordeal with Potiphar’s wife, Joseph spent long years forgotten in
prison. Eventually, God’s plan came to fruition, and Joseph was raised up to the second most
powerful position over Egypt. Through many trials and tests, Joseph learned to trust God. Not
only did Joseph rescue his family and the nation of Israel from starvation, but he saved all of
Egypt, too.
Joseph’s faith had been tested through trials, and perseverance finished its work. After coming
through the trials victoriously, Joseph understood God’s good purpose in all he had endured.
Joseph was able to see God’s sovereign hand in it all. Mature and complete, Joseph spoke these
words of forgiveness to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to
accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:19–20).
James 1:4 says a believer who perseveres through trials is made “perfect.” This does not
mean he or she becomes sinless or without moral failings. Perfect speaks of maturity or spiritual
development. Christians who face trials with a joyful outlook—trusting God to accomplish His
good purpose—will develop into full spiritual maturity. They will be equipped with everything they
need to overcome every trial they encounter. That’s certainly a good reason to rejoice.
To count it all joy when we face trials, we must evaluate the difficulties in life with eyes of
faith and see them in light of God’s good purpose. The translation of James 1:2–4 by J.B.
Phillips aids our understanding: “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my
brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise that they come to
test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that
endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with
the right sort of independence.”
II. Question: "What does it mean that God’s mercies are new every morning?"
Lamentations 3:22–23 says,
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are
new every morning;great is your faithfulness.”
The ESV and KJV use the word mercies instead of compassions. God’s mercy and compassion
are “new every morning,” yet another reason to praise Him.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote Lamentations in a time of grief and national mourning, after the once
great city of Jerusalem fell to Babylon, circa 586 BC. The book describes great anguish—and
great hope—in poetic form. The main theme of the book is God’s judgment on Judah’s sin as
well as His compassion for His people. Lamentations contains “laments” or “loud cries” for
Jerusalem and many expressions of anguish and pain, but in chapter 3, right in the middle of the
book, there is a beautiful passage of confidence and hope.
Jeremiah’s tone changes from despair to hope in Lamentations 3:21: “Yet this I call to mind / and
therefore I have hope.” From this and ensuing verses, we know that, even in the darkest times,
God is faithful and will not cast off His people forever. Every day, every morning, God shows His
mercy and compassion.
Taking a closer look at Lamentations 3:22–23, we notice a couple important themes. First, the
Lord’s “great love” (“steadfast love” in some translations) abides even in times of trouble
and divine judgment. God never stopped loving Israel, despite His discipline of them. The
Hebrew word translated “great love” is used about 250 times in the Old Testament; it refers to
love, of course, but it also encompasses elements of grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness,
compassion, and faithfulness. It is God’s “great love” for His people that spared them from being
utterly wiped out by Babylon. As we know from history, God later restored His people to their land
and blessed them again.
A second theme is God’s unfailing compassion or mercy. Mercy in the Bible is God’s
withholding of a just punishment. The particular Hebrew word used in Lamentations 3:22 has
to do with tender love, great and tender mercy, or pity. The same word is used in Isaiah 63:7 and
translated “compassion”: “I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to
be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done
for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.” The Lord has pity on His suffering
children; in fact, His mercies are new every morning.
Jeremiah’s statement that God’s mercies are “new every morning” is related to the statement that
follows: “Great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23). God is unchanging, and His mercies
toward Israel were unfaltering. His covenant with Abraham’s descendants would be kept (see
Jeremiah 31:35–37). This was the bright ray of hope that shone through the smoke of
Jerusalem’s ruins.
The dawning of every new day could be seen as a symbol of God’s light breaking through the
darkness and His mercy overcoming our troubles. Every morning demonstrates God’s grace, a
new beginning in which gloom must flee. We need look no further than the breath in our lungs,
the sun that shines upon us, or the rain that falls to nourish the soil. The mercies of God continue
to come to us via a multitude of manifestations.
There is no expiration date on God’s mercy toward us. His mercies are new every morning in that
they are perpetual and always available to those in need. We have our ups and downs, and
“even youths grow tired and weary” (Isaiah 40:30), but God is faithful through it all. With the dawn
of each day comes a new batch of compassion made freshly available to us. God’s compassion
is poured out from an infinite store; His mercies will never run out. Some mornings we get up on
the wrong side of the bed, but even there we find God’s mercies awaiting us.
Believers still sin and grieve the Holy Spirit, but forgiveness is always available (1 John 1:8–9).
God’s mercy is ready to forgive our sins, as they are atoned for by the shed blood of Jesus Christ
on the cross. We serve a great, loving, and merciful God, and because of His great love we are
not consumed. Our God is for us, not against us.
In Jesus Christ we have the fullest expression of God’s mercy and compassion (see Matthew
14:14), and He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus’ mercy is
indeed “new every morning.”
III. Question: "What is the peace of God, and how can I experience it?"
Philippians 4:7 refers to “the peace of God which transcends all understanding.” Most of Paul’s
letters began with the words “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.” Peace is a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances. The
term peace is described in Scripture as a gift from God and congruent with His character (1
Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 13:20).
If God is peace, then to know God is to bask in His peace. The closer we draw to Him, the more
of His peace we can enjoy (James 4:8). God gives us clear instructions about how to draw near
to Him. Psalm 24:3–4 says, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his
holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or
swear by a false god.” But Scripture is also clear that we cannot make ourselves clean enough or
pure enough to earn the presence of the Lord (Romans 3:10, 23). So how do we draw near
enough to experience His peace? Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”
(John 14:27). We come into the presence of the Lord through His Son (John 14:6). When we
allow Jesus’ death and resurrection to purchase our forgiveness from God, we are counted as
righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our sins are forgiven because Jesus already paid the price for
them. Only then can we have peace with God (Romans 4:5; 5:1; 1 John 4:10).
The initial peace that comes from having our consciences wiped clean grows as we get to know
God better (Hebrews 10:22). Second Peter 1:2 says, “May God give you more and more grace
and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord” (NLT). When we grow in
understanding of the depths and riches of God’s love toward us (Ephesians 3:18–19; Romans
8:38–39), our minds and spirits begin to rest in His power and wisdom. We begin to understand
that He really will make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). We learn that His
purposes will be accomplished (Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 45:9; 46:9–11).
Certain attitudes can destroy the peace of God. When we equate trust with the assumption that
God will give us whatever we want, we set ourselves up for disappointment. The Bible is filled
with examples of the opposite happening to God’s people (2 Corinthians 12:7–9; Hebrews 11:13;
Psalm 10:1). Trust means we have set our hearts to believe God, whatever may happen. When
we insist on being in control, we sabotage God’s desire to let us live in peace. When we choose
worry rather than faith, we cannot live in peace. Jesus warned us often about fear and worry
(Matthew 6:34; Luke 12:29; Philippians 4:6). Worry is the enemy of peace. God invites us to cast
our cares upon Him and then let go of them (1 Peter 5:7).
Living in peace can be compared to the petals of a flower unfolding in the morning sunlight. The
petals of peace in our lives unfold as we learn more about God. We discover that His character is
always faithful. We experience His continual goodness. We read more of His promises (Psalm
100:5; 115:11; Isaiah 26:4). We learn to bask in His overwhelming love for us (Romans 8:38–39).
We refuse to allow ever-changing circumstances to determine our level of contentment, relying
instead upon the character of God that never changes (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6).
When we develop a lifestyle of making the Lord our refuge, we begin to live in the peace of God
(Psalm 46:1; 62:8). Psalm 91:1 holds the secret to living in the peace of God: “He that dwells in
the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the
LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” That secret place in our
hearts is where we go to meet with God. When we choose to live there and hide away under His
shadow, staying in constant communion with Him, we can remain peaceful, even when
circumstances may not be. When we learn to cry out to Him in times of trouble, we find that His
peace really does pass all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
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What Is the Peace That Surpasses All Understanding?
That means that no matter our circumstances, whether we are facing death, torture, arrest, or
ridicule, we’ll be able to handle it in stride. Our faith in God dispels fear and conquers the evil
one, leaving us content in whatever life brings.
As he winds the letter to a close, Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every
situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
What Does Peace Mean in This Passage?
The original Greek word used here for peace, eiréné, is defined by Strong’s Concordance as
“one, peace, quietness, or rest”— it’s a giving over, a blissfully relaxing, much like the carefree
sleep of a child who has no worries because all their concerns are handled.
Peace can often be translated with a militaristic perspective in mind, such as the absence of
human conflict or battles, but here it’s used more in reference to a state of mind.
Eiréné is possibly derived from the root word eiró, which means “to join,” as in a state of harmony
and connection.
For Paul’s intended audience, people often torn apart by religious persecution and cultural strife,
the concept of peace is a desirable one.
What Does ‘Surpasses All Understanding’ Mean?
The Greek phrase “uperechousa panta noun” is translated to mean “surpasses all
understanding.” Uperechousa, or its transliterate version huperechó, comes from the words
huper (which means over, or beyond) and echó (have, or hold), according to Strong’s
Concordance — basically, “to hold above, to rise above, to be superior.”
This, then, is something that is far above the norm, vastly beyond the regular.
What Is the Peace That Surpasses All Understanding?
From a translation perspective, this essentially implies a deep, blissful, restful state that is so far
beyond our normal state — which, at that time, for the church in Philippi, was divisive,
contentious, and combative.
For a people accustomed to conflict and trouble, the promised peace of God would have been
not only desirable but something they could scarcely begin to imagine.
What Is the Deeper Meaning of ‘Peace That Surpasses All Understanding’?
However, it takes a fuller reading of the passage to understand all the nuances of this oft-quoted
Scripture.
Just before Paul reassures the people of this perfect peace available to guard their hearts, he
encourages them to do something that might sound odd in light of their difficult experiences:
Rejoice in the Lord. And not only on occasion, or when times are good, but to do so “always.” As
Paul writes,
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The
Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7).
In essence, he says, don’t worry about a thing. Ask God for what you need, be grateful, and
joyful in your faith, and your heart and mind will be wrapped tenderly in the protective peace of
the Lord.
The key here is that this peace comes as a result of an action: Prayer. When we petition God —
go to Him with our requests, worries, cares, and concerns — we get a bonus gift: Not only does
He hear us, but He gives us a peaceful, easy feeling in return because we’ve dealt with the
problem correctly by giving it over to the only One who can do anything about it.
That means that no matter our circumstances, whether we are facing death, torture, arrest, or
ridicule, we’ll be able to handle it in stride. Our faith in God dispels fear and conquers the evil
one, leaving us content in whatever life brings.
It’s a secure confidence, a deep-rooted knowledge, that God is in charge and will take care of
everything.
What Other Scriptures Echo This Theme of God-Given Peace?
Jesus, Himself, offers similar words to His disciples in the Gospel of John, when He says, “Peace
I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
This seems to be the same sort of peace Paul is referring to in Philippians — a peace we
humans cannot possibly understand, as it is unlike the world, but one that has the ability both to
drive out fear and free us from our worries.
That same notion is reflected in Romans 8:28, where Paul reminds us, “And we know that in all
things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His
purpose.”
God will work it all out, Paul is saying — He will handle our problems and our terrors if we only
believe and turn them over to Him.
In return, we receive a supernatural peace, unexplainable, and perhaps not even
comprehensible, with the potential to calm us and enable us to experience joy.
In case we missed the point, Paul reflects more on this in his second letter to the early church in
Corinth. He writes,
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God
of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Can We All Get This Peace?
Best of all, the Bible tells us, every one of us has the ability to get this “peace that surpasses
understanding.”
Like the “living water” Jesus offers the woman at the well in John 4:10, all we must do is believe
in Jesus, confidently and completely give over our troubles to God, and breathe, knowing joy will
follow in the hope nestled within our soul.