Patience and Purpose

James 5:7

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 he coming of the Lord is at hand. 

It is only human to want the Lord to return and take us out of this world with all of its evil and corruption, but perhaps that is just escapism. We just don't want to deal with what is coming down, the suffering, the loss of freedom, the immorality, the perversions of God's word, but all these are signs, signs for us to get ready, to get our hearts in order. But how often are we longing for His return because we love Him so very much, because we want to feast our eyes on Him, and because our hearts are so full of praise that we can't contain it? We want it to spill over into eternity and join in praising with all the saints on high.

Thankfully, James knows the true nature of man so he exhorts us to get ready by being patient and establishing our hearts. Patient because the Lord's coming is delayed as He waits for that last soul to be saved. Establishing our hearts by growing in Him and not grumbling against each other. Love should be the mark of the believer, our default setting, but often we fall back into the flesh where the default is backbiting and devouring one another by our actions and words. James reminds us that the Judge is at the door. He can't take sin lightly. Believers need to watch their speech, their words are significant. Don't swear by heaven or earth, but let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Strong words! Condemnation! Who wants that? No one I know of. So it's simple, yes or no. No swearing!

Finally, we establish ourselves by being steadfast. Remember the prophets and Job who endured evil, corruption, and affliction and still remained faithful. We can read those accounts and see that the Lord was faithful to them, and likewise, He will be faithful to us. If we are suffering or ill, call the elders and ask for prayer. Always remember that the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. In conclusion, James says to bring the wanderers back to the truth and their souls will be saved. Look out for one another. Reach out for the wounded brothers. Nurture and love. And in such a way it will go full circle. You will in turn be nurtured and loved.

Father,

I long for Your return, and yet at the same time, I need to get prepared, to establish my heart. Help me not to have a grumbling spirit, to love and reach out to others, to keep my speech clean and pure, and to be faithful and steadfast. Help me to nurture and care for those You place in my path. Give me the words to share with the lost.

In Jesus name,

Amen