Be patient

Patience until the coming of the Lord.

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.

Being patient, is not only the Divine prescription given to those who were suffering under the brutal and corrupt fraudulent acts of their employers, but is also given with a time frame in mind. That is, be patient until the coming of the Lord. 

James then gives an example of this patience with a time frame in mind. He points to the farmer. He says, "See how the farmer waits etc, etc. 

Farmers must be patient as they wait for their crops to grow and then be harvested. We also must be patient. 

The farmers wait for both the early and the latter rain. In James's day, and area of the world, the early rains would come in late October, or early November. Then, around April/May the latter rains would come. 

So, a farmer, would have to wait, be patient, until both of the rains had come. Then, he could harvest his crop. And, thus the suffering are encouraged to follow this example of being patient. 

By the way, the Lord seeks to bring forth fruit in our lives. He has appointed us to bear fruit, and wants that fruit to be plentiful, and wants it to be fruit that remains, or is long-lasting. 

James 5:8 says, "You also be patient. 

Jesus is coming again. He has promised to do that. And, in the meantime, while we are in the midst of our sufferings, we are to wait, be patient. Sometimes we yearn so desperately for the Lord to take us out of a trial, and or to remove the trial from us. We want it to be gone right away. We can become impatient. 

Lord, You are the God of patience. Ro 15:5* Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. And, we pray that You would help us to be patient until we see Jesus Christ face to face. In His name, amen. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises.

1. God will help us to be patient.

2. Patience is fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

3. Waiting is important, it's part of God's will.

4. We tend to have our own time lines.

5. God's plan and time line are perfect.