I love the book of James he is always so practical and so straightforward with his words. In James 5:13 he gives us two questions that would have two separate responses, but essentially, they both require turning our attention to God. First, we are to pray if we are afflicted. The word afflicted in Greek is akopathei. This is referring to the suffering of any kind. It may be sickness, bereavement, disappointment, persecution, loss of health, or property. It is suffering in difficult circumstances.
James 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”
Many times, as God’s children we will endure difficulties that are not the result of sin, or the chastening of God. In James 1:5? We are to pray and ask God for wisdom. This wisdom is from God and will transcend all others to help us understand the situation and use it for the glory of God.
Afflictions will come and prayer can remove them if, it is his will. But prayer can also give us the grace we need to endure troubles so they can accomplish God’s purpose in our lives. Most of the things I’ve learned about God and myself have come through afflictions. It has been in my greatest physical pain that God has given me the greatest peace. Those times assured me that God was not just with me, but was guiding me, molding me, and comforting me. My body may have been in great physical pain, but my mind was completely at peace with no stress. The times of greatest affliction brought the greatest peace! During these times God was teaching me greater dependence on Him. There was a nearness that I don’t think I could have felt any other way. I can remember one of those times when the verse in Romans 8:15, where we cry “Abba, Father,” was as real as if I were face to face with God. I could imagine climbing up in God’s lap and feeling his loving arms enfold me. In that place no matter what happened it would be ok. From what I have read this term in our culture would be as if we were saying “Oh, Daddy.”
Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
The second part of this verse deals with being merry! We think of this word as meaning laughter or light-hearted, pleasure, jovial, as if we don’t have a care in the world. In the Scriptures, however, the word properly denotes “cheerful, pleasant, agreeable,” and is applied to a state of mind free from trouble – the opposite of affliction. Then James tells us if we are happy we are to sing psalms. This is not saying we are to only sing the words in the Psalms, but rather that our music should be an expression of our inner spiritual life. Our singing ought to come from the heart and be motivated by the Holy Spirit. It must be based on the word of God, not just based on man’s feelings or ideas. Too much of our music today is about us and our feelings. True biblical music must honor God. If a song is not biblical in its words, thoughts, and music it is not acceptable to God. Biblical music should be a great part of our worship of God, both privately and publicly. It should lift us emotionally into the presence of God.
We should always acknowledge God, and His presence with us regardless of our circumstances. Whether we are suffering, or in a state of rejoicing, we should always be conscious of this Spirit that lives within us to guide us in everything!
