Be Patient For the Blessing

Be Patient

For the Blessing

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.”

James 5:7

The other day I was talking to a woman in her 60’s who

 questioned her decision to get a divorce over 20 years ago.

History reveals things we can never see in the moment.

That is why James reminds us of the prophets

 who patiently waited on the Lord.

He reminds us that we call those who faced

suffering and persevered “blessed”.

He gives us the example of Job’s perseverance

and what the Lord finally brought about for him.

There are 3 qualities James reveals for finding

the blessing in the face of suffering.

The first thing is “be patient”.

I remember as a child being told “be patient”.

It seems the older I get the harder it is to be patient.

   

Patience is something we have

to work at all through our lives.

James says it this way…

“Be patient, … until the Lord's coming”  James 5:7

The second thing James points

out is we must “be positive”.

“Don’t grumble” James 5:8

It seems so easy to grumble to someone or about someone

when we feel the pains of inconvenience and suffering.

We are told a great help to curb our grumbling is to remember…

“The Judge is standing at the door!” James 5:8

God is there judging the thoughts and intent of our hearts.

The God who has forgiven us and given us

everything we need is looking to see if we are grateful.

Are we able to forgive others as God forgave us?

The third thing is “be persistent”.

“You too, be patient and stand firm” James 5:8

Patience is not giving up.

Farmers have to wait for the crops to grow and produce.

But that does not mean they sit around and do nothing.

They have to watch for insects, disease

 and deal with it when it comes.

They have to prepare for a harvest

long before the harvest comes in.

There is always work to do in order to receive the blessing.

Remember…

“The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's

life more than the former part.”  Job 42:12

Life can become hard and the blessing far

away, so keep these 3 things in mind…

Be Patient

Be Positive

Be Persistent

And don’t forget…

“The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11

Scripture Reading

James 5:7-11 NIV

 

7 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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 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.