Many scholars have in the past expressed their difficulty with the letter of James. One of the objections has been that the letter of James is written too much in an “Old Testament” style, that is, a rather formalistic and legalistic letter. James seems to think too much in a “black and white” scheme and offers solutions which are just too simple in the real complexities of daily life.

The above text seems to be a case in point. James mentions two completely different situations in one breath, and without really dealing with each situation in its own right, simply gives two rules: if you are suffering, pray; if you are cheerful, sing. And is this, indeed, not a simplistic solution? Is this really a word which brings us further in dealing with the problems of life?

We might object that no two situations are exactly the same. Are not all people different in the way in which they deal with suffering or happiness? Those who are suffering have perhaps already prayed more than once. Those who experience joy have possibly already sung a Psalm or two. Is this text truly a pastoral advice which has an eye for the uniqueness of each different situation in life? It almost sounds like the advice of a minister who is much too busy to delve into a situation and suffices with a quick and easy answer to life's problems: pray or sing.

We should note that in these last verses of his letter, James is beginning to summarize what he has been saying throughout. He has extensively dealt with the issues of prosperity (wealth) and adversity (suffering). In Chapter 1 he spoke about the purpose of trials; in the Chapters 4 and 5 he dealt at length with the dangers of wealth. And now in these verses he is formulating clearly and concisely the way in which the Lord wants us all to go in these situations.

And he does not come with a simple solution, neither for those who are suffering, nor for those who experience joy. The Lord here points us to a way which for us is very difficult. He directs us to God. Those who suffer and those who are joyful have this in common that they must both live before the Lord! In this respect there is indeed one rule for every situation in life: go to God!

The situations here are indeed different. The one is suffering. James does not mention exactly what this suffering is or what has caused this suffering. It can be sickness, grief, loneliness, or disappointment. Suffering takes on many forms in this world. But there is for a Christian only one way to deal with all suffering: go to God! Pray. Literally the word used here means: to beseech, to petition. It has in it the notion of “coming forward.” We should not try to bottle up our suffering, or crawl away in a corner, but we should come forward and lay our cares before God's heavenly throne, begging Him for strength and relief. This word denotes an active communion with the Lord.

The Bible does not tell us to deal with our sufferings in a passive resignation, but we are to come forward in active fellowship with God, pleading on God's covenant promises. We also need not deal with our sufferings in a grim determination, taking every hit square on the chin without batting an eyelash. That is how the world copes with its suffering, either passive resignation or fierce determination. But we may in our sufferings go forward in the grace of God.

This means also that we do not suffice with one or two prayers, but that we lead a life of prayerful communion with our God, beseeching Him daily. It is this daily prayerful communion with God, this never-ceasing fellowship in prayer which meets with God's blessing. For then we pray “in faith” (Chapter 1:6), in the certainty that our Father will hear us in Christ Jesus.

Everyone will understand: this is not a simple solution to life's many problems'. The church may not give a smooth formula which fits each and every situation. But the Lord calls us in our trials to the struggle of faith, to daily prayer. Here we need perseverance, and we are given perseverance in every trial which may come upon us.

The other is cheerful. Also here we do not read of the reasons why. It can be happiness because of prosperity, health and wealth. Happiness, too, comes in many different forms. But the same rule applies: in our joy we must go to God! Not to petition Him, but to praise Him. It says literally: let him sing Psalms. And Psalms are also prayers, because in them we direct ourselves to God.

It is certainly not superfluous that we are reminded to go to God in times of joy. For prosperity tends to make us secure in ourselves. We might think that we have done it all and earned it all, and we may come to spurn the grace of God evident in His gifts. It is not without reason that Moses in the book Deuteronomy so seriously warned Israel not to forget the Lord when they would become rich in the land of Canaan. For because of our sinfulness, prosperity tends to make us smug, self-indulgent and callous. If anyone is cheerful, let him indeed not forget to praise God for the many undeserved blessings!

You see, the one pleads with God on the basis of the covenant promises in Christ. The other praises God because of the blessings received in the same covenant. But in both cases the covenant communion with the Lord is the common factor. In that communion we recognize our God who in Christ Jesus redeems us and causes us to share in His great gifts.

Simple solution? We are not a formula church which does not reckon with differing personal circumstances. We do not offer simple solutions to the many complexities of life. Our text offers us no simple solution at all! The way of prayer and praise is always a matter of self-denial. Prayer always means that we seek our salvation not in ourselves, or in men, but in God alone. It means asking God to help because He alone can help, and thanking Him because He alone has helped.

In this respect we are all one, no matter how different our situations may be. We are one in a living communion with the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are one in the confession that all things are from above, from the Father of lights (Chapter 1:17).

James offers no simple solution; he gives the only solution. The matter is indeed black and white. There is only one way to deal with life's blessings and trials: the way of prayer.