Listen to today’s devo!

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. (James. 5:11)

Expanded Passage: James 5:11

Backcountry hikers, mountain climbers, and other extreme outdoor enthusiasts have coined a set of terms that are valuable when discussing how enjoyable an activity is—the three types of fun. Type one fun is simply fun: the moment was enjoyable at the time and is a pleasant memory to return to. Type two fun was miserable in the moment—a thunderstorm during a hike or a snafu during your wedding—but remembering these things produces a sort of fondness. Type two fun reminds you of the important things of that moment. And type three fun is, well, just plain miserable—both in the moment and remembering it. This type of fun is marked by fear and anxiety, and the thought of repeating something like it fills you with dread.

Job’s experience was rough, to say the least. In the midst of his turmoil, Job might have been tempted to describe his experience as type three fun—nothing redeemable to the experience. We benefit from getting a retrospective view of Job’s life in Scripture. We get to see the full picture of God’s role during Job’s storm. Even though God might seem distant in the moment of turmoil, he is faithfully present with us. Like Job, we’ll be able to get to the other side of our storms and see the full picture of God’s presence—which is never type three.

God’s presence can be found in remembering.

Stephen Simpson is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN). He has served at Wesleyan churches—in one form or another—since childhood.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.