Tag: Patience
The Judge is at the door!
Scripture reading for November 21st: James 5:1-20
Most Christians know about the promise of Jesus coming again. This coming has been foretold for about two thousand years and it still hasn’t taken place. James wrote to remind the early church and us of our need for patience and active faith in the face of suffering and persecution.
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:7-9)
Being a farmer in my early years taught me a lot about patience. I could plant the seed, but I couldn’t hurry the harvest. I could keep the weeds out of the crop, but God had to bring the rains in their proper time. I had to wait with faith that God would provide. He always took care of us, even though it was sometimes at the last minute!
When we wait, it is easy to become impatient and get into strife and grumbling. The Israelites did this as they waited in the desert to go into the promised land. Their grumbling brought God’s judgment. (1st Corinthians 10:1-10) James warns us not to grumble. The One who will judge us is right at the door–ready to come at any instant! Knowing this and believing this should help keep us on the right course to meet the Lord.
James cites the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as another example of patience. “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11) Job lost everything he had as well as his health but he held onto his faith. He was eventually restored double by the Lord! (Job 42:10) Perseverance and faith have a great reward in the end. So it shall be for each person who trusts God and stays faithful through the trials and tests of life. The righteous Judge will restore and reward the faithful but the unbeliever will suffer great loss!
Be patient–Jesus is coming!
Scripture reading for December 16th: James 1-5
James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ. He was known to be the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and full of practical wisdom. One of his nicknames was “camel knees” because of time spent in prayer.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Not many people like trials. But James says we should embrace trials with joy, because we know they develop perseverance. We need perseverance to grow and mature.
“Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he waits for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door.” (James 5:7-9) We need mature faith and patience because Jesus is coming. Farmers regularly wait upon God for the needed rains to grow and mature their crops. Grumbling is a sign of impatience. God will judge those who are impatient and fail to wait.
“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:10-11) James is always addressing the “brothers” in an encouraging way, appealing to their past knowledge and understanding as Jewish believers. They were familiar with the prophets and their suffering–especially Job, the oldest book of the Bible. Job suffered patiently and God restored him completely at the end of his trial.
“Is anyone in trouble? He should pray.” (James 5:13a) James ends his letter with an encouragement to pray when in trials or trouble. Prayer helps us to persevere and develops patience. Elijah of old prayed and waited on God. God answered him. He will answer us today as well! We must persevere and watch and pray! Jesus is coming! The rains mean harvest! The trials mean more maturity and joy!
Sunday Rest and Reflection–Patience
As I read this book of Joshua and think about what he faced in his lifetime, I am reminded of my need for patience. Patience takes strength and courage. When you know what the Lord has said and nobody around you is listening or walking in faith it is hard to have patience. When all around you grumble and complain and see only the problems, it’s hard to be positive and not loose your temper.
Joshua had to wait 40 years to enter his inheritance. He saw it as one of the spies and understood from God’s Word that He it belonged to them. He knew that God would help them with the walled cities and the giants. He had a good attitude and a good confession. He tore his clothes and pleaded with the people when they rebelled at Kadesh. (Numbers 14:5-9) He faithfully served Moses for the 40 years of wandering. He was a good second man to Moses. You never see him trying to usurp authority or grab anything for himself. He walked with those who were destined to die in the wilderness and kept his focus. He was so faithful that he was chosen by God to lead Israel after Moses’s departure. The Bible tells us that the first requirement of a steward is that they be found faithful! (1st Corinthians 4:2) Joshua was faithful through the hard times and patient to wait until God’s time came for him to enter and possess his inheritance.
As you take time to rest and pray today, thank God for his faithfulness in sending His son Jesus Christ! He is our Joshua. He keeps a good attitude even when we whine and complain. He walks with us faithfully. He kept God’s Word perfectly and is the only one who can take us into the “promised land’! He took the lowest place of a servant and God exhalted Him to the hightest place of authority. His patience with us is amazing! What courage and strength it took for Him to save us! Are you letting patience have it’s perfect work in your life today? Have a great day of rest and refreshing! Remember to gather with others of faith and worship the Lord! God bless you! Pastor John