"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSING OF PATIENCE"
James 5:7 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”
James 5:8 “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”
James 5:10 “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”
James 5:11 “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible:
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
Here, of course, we see the Apostle James who was the half brother of Jesus talking to us about the value and importance of being patient.
He has many things to say about patience, and we would be well served to pray for understanding and application of God's Word about patience in our own lives. May God cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
1. We are simply instructed to be patient until Jesus returns.
James 5:7 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”
How simple is this teaching.
God says to be patient.
Patience means to simply hang in there, stay put, don't run off, but remain under, and in whatever it is that God has you in, and is doing in your life.
We are to pursue patience until Jesus comes back for us.
He is coming back, He has promised that to us.
We are given the example of a farmer to help us understand patience.
Farmers begin their work of planting, and then they wait.
They wait patiently.
They wait for the early and later rain.
So it takes time for them to finish their work.
What a great example for us to help us understand patience.
2. We are not only to be patient but also to establish our hearts.
James 5:8 “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
Along with being patient we are to establish our hearts.
This means, to take courage.
We can take courage because God the judge is standing at the door.
3. We need to avoid grumbling against one another.
James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”
This is pretty simple isn't it?
Do not grumble, complain, etc, etc.
Why? Because the Lord is standing at the door watching. .
4. We have the prophets as an example of suffering and patience.
James 5:10 “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”
We are given a second example of patience, and of suffering.
We have the prophets.
They are all through the Old Testament in great detail.
Detailed also for us in Hebrews 11.
They spoke in the name of the Lord, that was their assignment.
And they suffered for serving God.
But they were patient.
So, in doing the will of God it was not easy for the prophets.
But they were patient as they went along.
They are an example for us to be patient in our sufferings as we do the will of God.
5. We have heard of the patience of Job.
James 5:11 “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
One more example we are probably a little more familiar with, "Job”.
We do count them blessed who endure.
Are you not yourself blessed as you endure a trial and a difficult time, of course you are.
God is reinforcing that truth here. Be patient and be blessed.
We have heard of the perseverance of Job.
Yes we have, that's for sure.
We have also seen what happened at the end of Job's story.
We see what God intended through all of Job's trials and sufferings.
We have seen in the book of Job two things about the Lord.
He is very compassionate. Not just compassionate, but very compassionate.
He is also merciful.
Some Questions:
1. Are you going through a hard time at this time?
2. Patience is what God will give you and what God calls you to be in the trials of life.
3. Are you familiar with these verses?
4. Will you read them again quickly and then read them again a little more slowly?
5. Do you believe that these truths are for you also?
6. Will you ask God for patience?
7. Do You believe He will give it to you?
A Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, who is so in love with His children here on earth. Before we know it, we will be face to face with You in glory. To be honest, Lord, we can hardly wait. Only You know when each of us will arrive in heaven. But we are promised to arrive.
But down here, Lord, we need so much help. You are the giver of all good gifts. Patience in a sense is a gift, it's actually part of Love, the fruit of the Spirit. May we see this aspect of love in our lives, Lord. It's what You call us to. In Jesus’ name, amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
