Tag: James 5:7-11
Steadfast and patient till Jesus comes!
Scripture reading for October 11th: Jeremiah 37, 21, 34, Psalm 79, James 5
James 5: 7-11 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
James concludes his short letter with a call for patience and steadfastness while the believers waited for the coming of the Lord and Judge! He pointed to farmers for an example as they sowed their seed in faith, they must wait for the early and late rains to bring the crop to maturity before the fruit of the earth can be harvested. In the same way, believers must guard their hearts and be steadfast through the trials of life and God working in the hearts of people to soften them and bring forth precious fruit of repentance and faith. The prophets also stood as examples. James sited Job as an example of patience in suffering and how God restored him double. Jeremiah also remained steadfast in spite of persecution, death threats and imprisonment faithfully delivering God’s Word to His people in spite of resistance.
Psalm 79: 4-5, 11 ” We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. How long, O Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?” . . . “But we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will give thanks to You forever; from generation to generation will will recount Your praise.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for these words of encouragement to remain steadfast in the face of trials or suffering. We are thankful for the examples You gave us in the prophets of old and apostles of Jesus and in Jesus Himself. We look forward to the coming of our Lord and the great reward of eternal life in His presence forever and ever!
Jeremiah 37:16-17 “When Jeremiah had come to the dungeon cells and remained there many days, King Zedekiah sent for him and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house and said, “Is there any Word from the Lord?” Jeremiah said, “There is.” Then he said, “You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.””
Patience required waiting for the Lord
Scripture reading for October 11th: James 5
Key Scriptures: James 5:7-9 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
James knew and believed that Jesus Christ would return to earth for His people. He taught the church using the example of a patient farmer who had planted seed and was awaiting its growth to maturity and a harvest. In the waiting, the crop would need rain from heaven early to get it started and growing. It would also need the later rains to fill the seeds and fruit and bring maturity. In the same manner, believers having in them the Seed of Christ, would also need patience to wait for Christ’s return. They would need early rain for the Seed of the Word to grow and be planted in them. The later rains would refresh them and bring the fruits of their lives to maturity. Grumbling and living in known sin would not prepare them for the coming of the Judge–Who was standing right at the door awaiting God’s signal to come for His Bride.
James 5:10-11 “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, as a farmer, You have taught me the need for patience in waiting for the precious fruit of the earth. Help me to have the same patience with my brothers and sisters in the church as you cultivate their lives through the trials and tests of life. Allow me to rescue the wanderer and see restoration. Give me the steadfastness of Job that I might experience Your mercy and compassion and share it with others.
James 5:19-21 “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”