“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms”
(James 5:13 NKJV)

relief from suffering through prayer

1. If there has ever been a verse that every human can relate to, surely this is it. The promise of relief from suffering through prayer reminds the sufferer that he is not alone. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus spoke a parable. Someone defined a parable as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. This story depicts a widow who does not take no for an answer. The judge finally grants her request simply because she will not leave him alone. He may fear that she will follow him to his death bed.
2. Suffering may attack us mentally, physically, or spiritually. It can affect us in our work, our family, our souls, and our goals.
3. Not only does God care—He wants joy in our hearts. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
4. Cheerfulness is a great blessing, unless we forget to thank God for it. One way we thank Him is in song. Worldly people cannot understand how Paul and Silas could praise God in a time of agonizing injustice (Acts 16:22-24). Would we do that? What is the secret? Consider –
   1. Paul and Silas were in the habit of praising God every day; how much more in times of perse-cution? (James 5:13)
   2. Paul and Silas remembered that their Lord had suffered for them. Though He was perfect, He suffered to save them (and us) from sin. The least they (we) can do is live for Him, even if we are called upon to suffer for His sake. (Philippians 1:29)
   3. Soldiers have often used the word ‘honor’ to explain their heroic suffering for their country. Paul and Silas counted it an honor to suffer for Him. “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4:16, NASB).
   4. Present suffering for truth will be rewarded with future glory (Romans 8:17). Our Lord deserves our praise.
   5. Finally, like all other passages on singing in the New Testament, this verse commands singing, not playing on a mechanical instrument. Some try to justify pianos and similar instruments in worship by appealing to Old Testament practices. They might as well practice Old Testament animal sacrifices. Should we sacrifice a goat in worship? We must be consistent: “And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:3-4). It’s all or nothing. Jesus is our Lamb (John 1:29). The heart is our instrument: “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Our authority is the New Testament. To go beyond its teaching is sin (2 John 9). His word is truth (John 17:17) and this guides our worship (John 4:24)

– Rick Duggin