Week 38: September 14-20, 2025 - The Joy of Knowing God

This week’s daily readings:

September 14-20, 2025

This week’s devotional:

The Joy of Knowing God

by Tammilynn Elerath

Scripture:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

— James 1:2-4 (NIV) 

Reflection:

When we’re young, we don’t necessarily gravitate toward this Scripture passage. No, these verses resonate with us as we mature in life and in our walk with God. I was 14 years old the first time God spoke to me through these words, and it wasn’t an easy time. My family was in the middle of great trial and as a freshman in high school, I had no idea how to process all the stress and life changes. I picked up my Bible and asked God to show me what to do. I asked him to speak to me. I opened the Bible to a random page and started reading James chapter one. It feels like only yesterday, sitting on the floor in my room, reading this passage for the first time. I knew that God was with me in the middle of my hurt. God brought joy that day through his presence. I felt him with me and knew that I wasn’t alone. My situation hadn’t changed, but my perspective had.

Last year, on April 2nd, 2024, my husband Justin was diagnosed with kidney cancer. In an instant, my entire life changed. I collapsed to the ground and sobbed for about two minutes. Then, these words from James came to my mind. I immediately gave the trial to God. I leaned into God and asked him to carry me through whatever was coming. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I knew God and I knew his character. I knew God loved me, Justin, and the girls and I knew he had a plan and a purpose for us. I trusted that God would not waste this hurt, and I knew God would use this situation to grow us and bring us closer to him. If we had to endure this trial, I was going to surrender to God completely and trust that he would get us through. As I processed the news, I prayed to God to give me his peace, his joy – throughout this cancer journey – and God said yes! I have felt God’s presence more closely over these past months than I ever have in my entire life. I have experienced his peace that surpasses all understanding, and I have had many joyful moments with Justin in and through this.

When God tells us to “consider it pure joy” as we experience trials, it isn’t because we’re supposed to love and enjoy pain and hardship. No, we should consider it pure joy because we know that God loves us and will move closer to us during our times of trial! Our relationship with him is going to grow and mature through the trial and we will get to experience more of God. And that is cause for joy! 

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, we know we lack nothing with you. We thank you and praise you for being a God who cares so deeply and wants to draw us near to you. Give us maturity in all our emotions and confidence knowing you’ll be with us during our times of hardship. Help us to remember how Jesus withstood his own agony on the cross and give us strength as we relate to that. And Holy Spirit, please bring us your amazing brand of peace to get us through these trials. We cherish your love and look forward to experiencing the joy of being with you! Amen