James 5:7-11 – Be patient in waiting for the Lord’s return. In our Epistle
lesson, James expresses patience in waiting for the Lord’s return.
He exhorts us to patiently wait for the Messiah’s
Second Coming. Since Jesus is the Messiah, He is worth waiting for with
patience.
Many lack the virtue of patience. We are like the one
who prayed, “Lord make me patient – and right
now!” We are in “instant” people – instant coffee, instant
news coverage, instant service, instant relief from prescription drugs. If God
does not respond instantly we become impatient.
We can easily forget that God has eternity while we
have only time. God is never in a hurry as we are. He does not need to be in a
hurry with eternity at his disposal. In this Sunday’s epistle James deals with the
problem of Christ’s return. Why does he not come now? It helps us to be patient
if we agree that he will be worth the waiting.
So, how do we learn patience while waiting for Christ’s
return?
Know that he surely is coming – You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord
is at hand. v. 8
Follow the example of the patient ones – 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… As an example of suffering and patience, brothers,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Vv. 7, 10
Accept the fact that he is coming as judge and king – Do not grumble against one another,
brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the
door. v. 9
Yes, patience is a virtue. Stay calm, remain focused,
be…patient!
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