Good morning,
James 5 has five themes, riches, patience, prayer, faith, and restoration. This week we will explore each of these and make pertinent application.
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)
Patient Endurance James 5:7-11
5:7 Be patient
5: 8-9 Watch because Jesus will return (Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:35-39)
5:10 The Prophets are our example (Matt. 5:10-12)
7 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.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
APPLICATION
James challenges us to be patient. In today’s culture we are not accustomed to being patient. We have fast food, stores with all kinds of products, fast internet, and on demand TV. So when the Bible commands us to be patient, we do not know what to do.
Slow down might be a good first step. Find a quiet place in your home, get your Bible, and read. Turn off the TV, cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices and just relax.
James points out we are to be patiently waiting for the Lord’s return. We are to be patiently enduring and suffering affliction. We are to follow the example of the prophets and Job.
Be patient!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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