Patience in Suffering

James 5:7-12

Patience in Suffering

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.   The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.   All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

This week's verses focus on God's faithfulness and our need for patient, perseverance.  James 5:7-12 has strengthened my faith and reminded me of God's abundant power and mercy.  Let's dive in...

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Verse 7 calls us to be even tempered with our "brothers and sisters" (other believers) until the Lord comes back.  The example given is a farmer that is patient for his land to yield its crop.  He prays for God to bless his efforts when he harvests the crops in the autumn.  He prays for rain in the spring to bring nourishment to his bounty.  To reap the reward for his labor.  Just as it is written in Joel 2:23, "23 Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before."  The Lord is faithful- be patient.

In verse 8 James warns us to be patient and not waiver in our faith because His presence is imminent.  Likewise it is shared in Luke 21:19, "19 Stand firm, and you will win life."  In verse 9 James says not to quarrel with one another because there will be consequences for our sinful behavior.  That time is near.

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Verses 10 and 11 remind of us of the testimony of the prophets, namely Job.  If you have not read the book of Job I encourage you to do so...Satan comes to the Lord and challenges that Job will not be a loyal servant.  God agrees to test Job, contending that he is loyal.  Satan takes everything away from Job- hundreds of livestock, 10 children, servants, etc.  He was very wealthy.  Job worships the Lord.  Then Satan strickens him with sores all over his body and fever.  He is miserable and naked.  Everything has been stripped from him.  In his misery he gives God all glory and honor.  God comes to his aid and blesses him.  God gives him way more than he had before (Job 42:10-12).  He gives him 10 more children, thousands of livestock, and 140 years of full life.  Job was patient.  He suffered greatly.  He preserved and was blessed.  The Lord was full of mercy to him who called upon His name as the Almighty. 

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
In the last verse we are called to, above all, not "swear- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else."  We are not to say things like "I swear on my life that this is true," etc.  Because after all, who are we to have control over our own life or anything else?  We have no right to swear- to claim that we are more powerful than the Living God.  God is sovereign.  Mathew 5:34-37 puts it this way, "34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."  If we act like we are in a sense god, we will be condemned for it.

I am looking forward to studying James 5:13-20 with you all next week.  I can't believe it will be the last entry of the summer!  This summer has flown by! 

Blessings,

M