Patience. This is not a fun word. This word usually brings to mind the idea of sitting and waiting and waiting then waiting some more. Who wants to just sit still and do nothing all day? Not me for sure. Yet, here in James 5:7 it tells us to do what: Be patient.
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. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:7-8
It is important to ask why is James telling us to be patient. In the previous verses James talks about the rich oppressing the poor. Verse 7 is a response to that. James response to oppression and hard times: Be patient.
So in hard times you’re to sit still and do nothing? No not at all. In fact the very opposite you are to be working. The second part of verse 7 tells us that we are to be like the farmer who waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
When up against hard times it is important not to be enraged or discouraged by the circumstance. It is important to direct our gaze towards eternity. When hard times hit we are to be like the farmer who waits. When a farmer waits he is not just sitting around doing nothing. He is tilling the soil and tending to the crop. We are to be tilling the soil and tending to the crop by building our relationship to God and making disciples until his coming.
Do not be discouraged or angry about your circumstance. Take joy because your king is coming and one day all trouble will be over. Take joy in the fact that he loves you with an unrelenting love that never fails. Be patient by dwelling in his love.
Written By: Danielle O'Neil