Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

upperlip and frivolous giddiness. “No experience of joy or sorrow and no
condition of prosperity or adversity have any power to cancel this standing
invitation,” which aims at the prevention of undue elation in times of success
and undue depression in times of vexation (Tasker, 126).
The proper attitude in “adversity,” whether physical, mental, spiritual,
personal, financial, relational, or otherwise (Keddie, 174), HIV-Aids, inoperable
cancer, a murdered child, an unwarranted reputation-destroying lawsuit,
or other such distresses (Nystrom, 310), is not to seek some counterfeit diversion,
such as watching television, reading a novel, listening to music, going to
the movies, taking someone out for dinner, keeping “busy,” or what is worse,
grabbing for the bottle, taking drugs, engaging in illicit sex, etc.
No, when “misfortunes” (Nystrom, 304) or “reverses,” such as afflictions
(Ps. 73:10; Is. 54:6, 10-11), purifications (Mal. 3:3), trials (Job 23:10; 1
Pet. 1:7; 4:12), chastisements (Ps. 94:12; Rev. 3:19) or other “troubles” enter
the picture and make their recipients feel “miserable,” they must immediately
turn to God (Ps. 30:2, 8, 10; 50:15; 91:15), counting it joy (Jam. 1:2), and
seeking wisdom and strength to persevere (Jam. 1:3). In fact, they must take a
beeline to God fully in the footsteps of Jesus (Lk. 22:44) as the only recourse,
rather than merely “the best recourse” (Nystrom, 304)! That is what prayer is,
and should be, all about, men and women turning to God, without procrastination
or reservation in order to enter into his throne room, to close the door
behind themselves, to cast themselves upon Him, and to have the closest possible
fellowship with Him. It must be a “homecoming” of the heart that produces
“rest” in the full sense of the word and yields the riches of pure joy
(Phil. 4:4; Jam. 1:2), contentment (Phil. 4:11) and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6).
Note that the present section is replete with references to prayer, seven in
all. James covers the waterfront of prayer pursued by individuals (Jam. 5:13),
elders (Jam. 5:14-15), Church members (Jam. 5:16), and, to top it off, by a
“prime time” prophet as a universal model for everybody in every condition
at any time (Jam. 5:16-18). In emphasizing the copious need for prayer James
continues the pattern presented in the opening statement of his Epistle. From
trials through prayer for wisdom to endurance in practical godliness en route
to perfection (Jam. 1:2-4)! In fact, in this context he ups the ante. His seven
references to prayer (Jam. 5:13-18) run parallel to his seven references to endurance
in the preceding verses (Jam. 5:7-12) (Motyer, 186). In short, this
section goes a long way persuasively to underscore the significance of prayer,
which was already established at two earlier occasions (Jam. 1:5-6; 4:2-3).
Men and women should turn to God for his own sake. In doing so they
may indicate their repentance. They may simply share their thoughts. They
may go for comfort. They may seek encouragement. They may desire coun-
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