James 5:7-8, “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 he receives the early and late rains. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
Do you have a lot of patience generally? I hate it when I place an order on Amazon and the circle goes round and round waiting to go through to be confirmed. It used to go through immediately. When I go to the check out at the grocery store, or any store, I look for the shortest line so I can make my purchase and get out and get on to the next task of the day. Farmers must wait patiently and with high anticipation for harvesting their crops that have been planted. They depend upon the rain falling at just the right time. That requires patience with endurance. Farmers in the Palestinian climate had to wait for the early spring and autumn rains to plant and harvest their crops, that James was referring to in James 5.
The early spring and autumn rains were the most crucial to these farmers, that needed the rain just at the right time to water the crops after planting and harvesting the crops. “A farmer does not give up when his crop does not come to harvest immediately. He keeps on working even when the crop cannot be seen at all. Even so Christians must work hard and exercise patient endurance even when the harvest day seems far away.” David Guzik Commentary. When we think about waiting and having patience with endurance in the Christian life, it is much like what farmers must do. We both have to live by faith. They are still working, yet have not received the harvest reward, but are encouraged by the value the harvest will bring, despite changing circumstances with the weather. There is no other option than to wait while still working to advance the kingdom of Heaven.
Is there something you are required to have patient endurance about right now? As James instructs us, keep on keeping on. Rely on the Lord to bring about His abundant blessing with His power and help in your efforts. You are not in this alone. It does not depend totally on you. Sometimes all we can do is wait for the Lord to provide and act. Here are verses to say out loud when in that situation:
- Psalm 62:1, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him come my salvation.”
- Psalm 130:5, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.”
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
- James 1:4, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Keep working on strengthening your relationship with the Lord. Be steadfast in your hope, faith, and trust in the Lord’s presence, provision, and protection. Have patient endurance and persevere. Your faith must express itself through each situation you encounter. It does no good to give up. Wait with endurance for the outcome to be provided and say out loud Ephesians 1:18-20 – “the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me.”
Seasons change, and God is in control of making those seasons change. You are developing patient endurance just like a farmer does year after year. Your reward will come. Christ will balance the scales. Focus on Jesus. You are not alone in your struggles. Set your eyes on Him. Determine to know Him better. Your face will become radiant reflecting His presence with you. Remember, Christ could come back today! So be patient, strengthen your heart with His Word, and instill endurance as you persevere. Christ will deliver you from all of this world’s circumstances upon His return. It won’t matter then.
Listen to I Speak Jesus by the Newsboys (Lyric Video)