JAMES 5:7-8
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (NKJV)
With many modern conveniences, we have come to expect speed. We are quickly frustrated if we have to wait longer than two days for a package to be delivered to our door. If a web page does not load in a matter of seconds, we are on to the next site. If we have to wait longer than twenty minutes for food to be delivered to our tables, we are irked. So it seems with many modern conveniences; we have become less patient.
James is writing to a people who have been oppressed and taken advantage of (ref. Jas. 5:1-6). He encourages them to be patient. Using the analogy of a farmer who waits patiently for rain, James urges Christians to exercise patience as we await the Lord’s return. When we are frustrated, it can be easy to take matters into our own hands. However, anger does not achieve the righteousness of God (ref. Jas. 1:20). Therefore, James encourages Christians to tamper their temper, strengthen their hearts, and look to the Lord’s return. Christians are to place their trust and confidence in the Lord.
endnotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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