You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8
I pause my study of Ecclesiastes to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20. This morning, I focus on an unassisted review of James 5:7-11. The heading for the text in the ESV translation refers to this text as Patience in Suffering. V7a starts with a call to all brothers and sisters in Christ to "be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord." Before we proceed to v7b, we must look at why we must be patient because the text that we should be patient...therefore - referring to previous text. James 4 provides warnings against worldliness and arrogance/pride. James 5:1-6 provides a warning to those who have lived lavishly, luxuriously, and self-indulgently, trusting in their riches and treating poorly the laborers who have worked their fields. Similar to Egypt where God heard the cries of the suffering Israelites (see Exodus 2:23-25), "the cries of the harvesters [working the fields of the rich] have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (4:4). James 4:5b-6 describe how the rich have "fattened [their] hearts in a day of slaughter....[and] condemned and murdered the righteous person. [The righteous person] does not resist [the rich who condemned and murdered]." James 4:6 describes suffering on the part on the righteous person. Jesus of course should be described as righteous and holy as He lived a sinless and perfect life. He did not resist going to the cross - suffering on behalf of believers who also suffer but receive eternal life. James 4:7 references the righteous person condemned and murdered in v6. We want justice for the condemned and murdered person, but we must wait for the Lord to deliver this justice and this will come but we don't know when so we must be patient. Patience is described in more detail as waiting for the "early and late rains" as a farmer does before the harvest. We are also urged not just to be patient but to not grumble and complain against "one another" (v8), to avoid God's judgement. In a further description of the patience we should have, we are urged to demonstrate the same patience as others who suffered yet remained patient and steadfast, including Job (vv10-11). The book of Job chronicles incredible suffering of the book's namesake and yet Job never cursed God. At the end of the book of Job (chapter 42), Job is restored, as God blesses him for his patience and steadfastness. Believers will also be rewarded in Heaven for their faith, patience, steadfastness, and perseverance.
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who went to the cross so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity with You. Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out for me. I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
