Patience is a virtue that most people lack. In this day and age people want things done fast and are not willing to wait for its proper maturity. We have developed medications, some sorts of chemical even for our crops to get them to mature and grow quickly.
Our text today points out to the fact that we have to be patient to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many are becoming weary as they see the evil done by the wicked, many even may be weary as they see the body of Christ looking like they so not care for the coming of the Lord.
James points out that just as the Farmer waits for the precious fruits, as he waits for the early and latter rain (vs. 7), so also we must wait for the Lord. Predictions are made for the rain and even the fruits but no one can be firm as to the actual time.
Now going further, he admonished us to be patient and then establish our hearts. What does it mean to establish your heart? It is by standing firm, strengthening your heart (NIV, NASB). It is a call for you to be resilient in the hope of the word of a Faithful God.
When you are patient, anxiety dies, when you are patient, faith in God grows. Don’t be a slouch when you are patient as that is not being patient but complacent and lazy. You are still at work being patient, for the farmer keep weeding out dirt in the farm, tilling and doing his best even as he patiently establish himself in the confidence that rain will fall and there will be fruition of his crops.
As you abound in love to one another, you are establishing your heart in Holiness before God(c.f. 1 Thess. 3:13). We can pray to God to establish us. He will give us the grace needed and establish us in every good word and work (c.f. 2 Thess. 2:17).
Prayer:
Thank you Father for you make all things beautiful in time. Help me to be patient and be established in my heart as I await your coming. Amen
Remember patient is also fruit of the Spirit, so let the Spirit of God reign in us to his full nature in us. Amen Shalom!