James 1:9 (NIV)
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in
their high position.
Do you find yourself in humble circumstances? If so,
James tells us that we are to take pride in this "high" position.
These two things would seem to be an oxymoron. Most of us would not consider
humble circumstances a high position. Successful business tells us that being
on top means being wealthy, attaining favor and status, or having power to
influence. However, Jesus influenced not from power, but from weakness.
J. C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store.
He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In
1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney
company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the
stock market crashed and he lost $40 million. By 1932, he had to sell out to
satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit
from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle
Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of
employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er
betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source
and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his
health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age
fifty-six.
By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and
for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year. [John Woodbridge, ed.,
More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 340-343.] The
success of J.C. Penney can be traced to God's mercy in his life to bring him
out of his humble circumstance. Do you find yourself in a humble circumstance?
God is the only one who can help you see your humble circumstance from His
viewpoint-a high position. It is a high position because of what God is going
to teach you in this place. He does not intend you to stay there; it is merely
a stopping place to learn some important things you would not learn otherwise.
Press into God and trust Him for the outcome to your circumstances.
Dear Lord. We thank You for the way You will use
everything we go through to help mold us into the people You want us to be. In
Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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