The Crown Of Life

James 1: 9-12
 
(9) But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 
(10) and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 
(11) For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass, and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. 

We are never to glory in where we are outwardly. We are to see ourselves as God sees us, with high position with Him, and not trusting in any material prosperity to last. 

What we have in this world is only temporary, so if we don't have much, then we can look forward to heavenly riches; and if we're prosperous here, then don't depend on riches or bank on keeping them for very long, because they don't last, and we won't be here very long.

(12) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  

James has already told us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials (in v. 2). Now he says that when we persevere, that we will win a crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 

So, when we persevere through the trials because we love Him, this approves us to receive this prize. 

O my Father, You love us so much, teach us how to love you back, and how to love one another as You would have us do so. Help us to be mindful of others' needs, to be aware of them before we notice our own needs. 

Help us to love our loved ones in the love languages they can understand, and to live together in harmony and peace. And when our rough edges rub, to grow in patience and longsuffering toward one another. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!