It is well
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.’ (NKJV) James 5:13
James, the brother of Jesus, as seen in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3, wrote this letter. This letter is one of the seven which have been called the ‘general letters’. They are called ‘general letters’ because they are not particularly addressed to any person or church. The book was written to teach Jewish Christians who were scattered among the Gentile nations (James 1:1).
In conformity with our theme for the month, the writer draws our attention to continue to be joyful in all aspects of our lives as Christians or children of God.
We could recall how the entire world has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic in recent times. Several lives have been lost. Certain Christians have not been spared too. Talk of adverse impact on the global economy and other growth areas; it really has left most people in despair.
Yet in all these challenges, we are encouraged to keep praying in times of suffering, then also to sing psalms and glorify God when we are cheerful. We cannot be sorrowful in our entire life. We need to be joyful in the Lord, notwithstanding our past or present circumstance (Philippians 4:4). It may not be rosy at all times, however, we should continue to focus on Christ as He leads and guard us through the storm.
The writer of a favorite hymn ‘It is well’; Horatio G. Spafford has these words to inspire us.
‘When peace like a river attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say;
It is well, it is well with my soul’.
May God help us to count it all joy in our endeavors having in our minds and heart that it is well. Amen.