(NKJV): v7 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain v8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
(NIV): v7 “My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. v8 Be patient like those farmers and don’t give up. The Lord will soon be here!”
(CEV): v7 “So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.”
Be Patience in Suffering, and be Kind
James urges believers to remain patient and strong in their Faith as they wait, for The Day of The Lord is coming. According to worldly perspectives, their wealthy oppressors appeared to be winning. But to those trusting in Christ, however little money, and status they had in this life, James offers that Same Fact as Comfort: The Day of The Lord is coming. Be patient while you wait for Him to Keep His Promise.
One of the irritating occurrences most of us do not like at all is queuing and waiting. It becomes more annoying when the attendant involved seems so slow and serves without any sense of urgency. In this present age of quick cash, fast food, etc, many of us have grown to be very impatient, even towards God.
Our Heavenly Father Wants to Assure us that He is A God of His Word. If He Promises, He Surely Delivers. There are times we will have no idea of what He is Doing behind the scenes. In such situations, it is required of us to be patient and wait on The Lord.
Waiting is hard when you are suffering. James uses the analogy of a farmer for encouragement. He asks his readers to think of how hardworking farm hands have to wait for the payoff of their efforts. All of the struggle and strain, through all the stages of the growing season, eventually lead to The Glorious harvest. Be patient like that, James says. The harvest will come. ie; Apostle James compares the believer’s patience (until The Lord’s return) to the farmer waiting for the time of harvest. Every true Child of God awaits with great hope The Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is our greatest waiting and patience test. Our Lord Jesus Christ Shall Surely Come Again and His Coming is Nearer than it was when we first believed.The patience about which James is speaking, is exemplified by a life that Honors The Lord in thought, word, and deed – through good works and Godly living. It is demonstrated by one who believes God’s Word and applies the royal law of unselfish and impartial love in every area of life – i.e. Love of God and love of one’s neighbor through The Supernatural Love of Christ within
Apart from waiting for The Great Season of Christ’s Return, we all have other Promises and hopes we are believing God for. We may be working and trusting God for some financial breakthroughs, healing, open doors, etc, but they seem to be delaying. As the farmer waits patiently for the precious fruit of the ground, so must we wait patiently on the Lord.
Our God is Never late, neither is He slow to act. The only thing is that He Perfects every gift He Blesses us with. If He Spoke to you about His Promises, do not give up waiting. Be patient and strengthen your hearts because Faithful is our Lord Who Has Promised: He Will Deliver.
May we take to heart James’ exhortation to be patient in the difficult circumstances we face when life seems unfair, to love as Christ Loved, and to be rich in Faith. May we be ready and willing to persevere under trials and tribulation and allow patience to blossom in our lives, knowing that The Day is Coming when those who are approved will receive the crown of life – which The Lord Has Promised to those who love Him.
We have A Blessed Hope in Christ and A Promise of Eternal Reward, and our eyes should be fixed on Jesus. We have many Precious Promises that are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ, and He Has Promised to Come Back to Take us to be with Himself forever, and James exhorts each one of us to “be patient until The Coming of The Lord.”
Heavenly Father,
please Grant me The Grace to be patient and to be strengthened in my heart as I wait on Your Precious Promises and on Your Second coming. Let our Promises be made Manifest in due time,
in Jesus’ Name, Amen
