Jump Start # 109

James 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.”

  James addresses the different states of the heart, suffering and cheerful. Those are opposites of each other. Those suffering generally are not cheerful. The suffering that James has in mind is the result of our faith or persecution. But all suffering tends to make us miserable. If one is suffering from a cold, or burdened with financial debt, or from wrongs they caused or the victim of someone’s verbal attack, they are miserable. Suffering does that.

  What is interesting in this passage, is that James names the two opposites of human emotions, misery (suffering) and happiness (cheerful). And in both of these states, the spiritual is involved. When suffering, pray. When cheerful sing praises. The entire human experience is to be brought under the realm of faith and spiritual life to God.

  We often turn to God in prayer when suffering. I’ve said many prayers with families while they are in the hospital surgery waiting room, or in the funeral home. The broken spirit caused by pain drives us to pray to God. We need help. The pain and suffering seems greater than we are. God is the answer. Some don’t get this, and they use the experience of pain to run from God, but most who have a foundation in Jesus, cling to him during the storms.

  It is the other human experience that we often fail to include the spiritual. When we are cheerful we often fail to sing praises. The cheerful times are good times. We like them. I do. Fun times with the family. Great vacations. When you wake up and you feel good and you feel rested. When things are going well. When problems are few and blessings abound. Those are cheerful times. James tells us to sing praises! Don’t forget who gave you those blessings and good times. Include and involve the spiritual. Praise God. Sing to God.

  These thoughts show us that we need God at all times. Even when things are going well and problems are few we need God. Singing and praying. According to James these ought to be a regular part of our life. And the reason is we are generally cheerful or suffering.

  I have to work on this. First, I don’t like to hear myself sing. That usually causes suffering to whoever hears. When I’m in a good mood, I find myself listening to my oldies tunes. Great songs. Fun songs. But I think about the words of James here. I need to be singing praises as a form of thanksgiving to God. Never listen to the oldies again, I don’t think James is saying that. Never “whistle while you work?” No, that’s not wrong. James is illustrating both sides of life, both extremes of emotions. God is not just for those who are suffering, but for those who are cheerful. God is not a spare tire that you only touch in emergencies, but God is for all days, no matter what is going on. You wouldn’t like it if your children only came to you when they had a problem and needed you to get them out of it, but when they were cheerful they ignored you. You’d feel used. How does God feel? He doesn’t want us only to sing when it is Sunday or when we are in the church building. He wants to be included in our good news. He wants us to praise Him, recognize Him, acknowledge Him and to give Him the credit.

  Praying and singing. Both are good remedies for whatever is going on in your life. God is always there, just don’t forget Him!

Roger