James noted that, in order to endure, we will need to have patience. This devotion looks at how patience helps us from grumbling against others.
Nuggets
- God calls us to patiently wait for Jesus’ return.
- We need to watch our grumbling so that we do not judge.
- Have patience and endure the suffering.
Devotions in Living Out Our Faith series
James has talked several topics in the five chapters of his book. His main topic has been faith.
Throughout, James has used that for the backdrop of talking about works, trials, and endurance. Now he is adding patience to the mix.
Let's Put It into Context
Here is a running list of nuggets for the series.
How to be Patient
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (Jas. 5:7-8 ESV)
God calls us to patiently wait for Jesus’ return.
James reminded us in the first part of verse 7 that we have to patiently wait for Jesus to return. But then, waiting is a big part of being a disciple.
We were already told by James that we need to endure. We need to endure trials and growing in wisdom.
Growth is a process. Let’s face it. It is often a tough process.
But it is not a wait-and-do-nothing process. There are things we have to actively be doing.
We have to be seeking God. That encompasses several activities.
We have to be trying to imitate God.
James painted another picture of what he was talking about. He uses a farmer the illustration.
That is a timely illustration here on central Illinois. The farmers are busy in the fields harvesting their crops. There are both some corn and beans harvested already. There are some corn left and some beans left.
We had a really cold and wet spring. The farmers had to wait to get their crops planted. Then they had to wait for them to grow and ripen.
But they knew that their waiting would be rewarded. They just had to let time run it’s course.
So, it is not only about waiting, it is also about growth.
Clayton showed us why we wait. He wrote, “… he ploughed, dressed, fallowed, sowed, harrowed, his fields — and for what? — to wait until the softened furrows should allow the tender grain to sprout.
Resource
We have to be at a place where we can be taught. We have to be docile. Docile means easily taught.
Devotions in the The Beatitudes Show Us How to be Docile series
A big part of that is being submissive. We have to know that God is in control — and let Him be.
We all have our harvest. Thomas talked about that. He wrote, “To the Christian man the produce, the result of his ever-ripening life, will be in its habits, experiences, and fellowships, a harvest of ‘precious fruit.’”
Resource
Paul told us what the fruit is. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5: 3-5 ESV).
We grow as we wait for Jesus to return. We are growing in grace and knowledge (I Pet. 3: 18). We are growing to be more like God.
The goal is to establish our hearts. We’ve been calling it getting it down to the heart level. We have to set our hearts on things above.
To read a devotion in the On Things Above series, click on the button below.
It is best we do this soon. Jesus is coming, and it seems like things are aligning to herald His return.
We have to be ready.
Do not Grumble or Judge
“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (Jas. 5: 9 ESV)
We need to watch our grumbling so that we do not judge.
Hmmm. Doesn’t it seem logical that James jumps from patience to grumbling against another?
Don’t we do that? The patience goes, so the mouth starts. It not only starts running, but it also takes our discontent out on others.
Beddome argues that, the way it is written, it implied we aren’t content with our lives. He linked it to not shaking out as we want it to do.
It is tied back to envy. Envy fosters resentment.
It is imperative that we must conquer our envy. Beddome told us why. He wrote, “It is a sin which, if not repented of, will subject us to final condemnation.
Resource
We talked a lot about being content in our lives. Our contentment is taken away by allowing our grumbling to take root within us.
Devotions in the Contentment Leads to Tranquility series
Do we consider our grumbling a sin? It really is.
We are doing several things.
· We are taking our focus off God.
· We are doubting He will provide for us.
· We are putting this world above Him.
Not good, people. James said we shouldn’t grumble against each other because we will be judged when we do.
The Judge is waiting at the door for the signal to start the judgment process. He knows our circumstances, our reactions, and our motivations.
Be Steadfast
“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (Jas. 5: 10-11 ESV)
Have patience and endure the suffering.
James wanted to make sure we understand, so he have us an example. He reminded us of the prophets.
The prophets usually didn’t have an easy go of it. Many weren’t accepted because the people didn’t like the messages they brought.
We aren’t called to a prosperity gospel. We have to suffer and endure many things when we are ministers of God’s gospel.
But remember, we are all ministers. Don’t think this doesn’t apply to you because you aren’t a Pastor Steve type.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
Here, we are — again — called to endure. We hold steadfast to God’s laws and commandments.
More importantly in James’ day, disciples had to endure persecution — sometimes even by the hands of those they studied under or grew up with. James himself was eventually executed.
James used two people as models for possessing the behaviors he was discussing. Job was known for his patience. With all he went through, he remained faithful to God.
The other person Who remained faithful to God was Jesus. James reminded his readers that they — some of whom may have seen Jesus preach — knew what His purpose here on earth was. They knew His mercy.
Making the Connections
To me, this is talking about the correct condition of our hearts. We are holy as God is holy. We put Him as our top priority.
Thomas said that establish in verse 7 is the same word as support in Exodus 17: 12. “When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down” (Ex. 17: 12 CSB).
That means we can get help. We don’t have to wait alone. We can get help to learn.
That we don’t have to do things alone should help our tendencies to do things to extremes. Clayton described what we do. He wrote, “Man is prone to extremes; if he may not be impatient, he thinks he must be indifferent; if he is condemned for standing still, he runs like some restive horse which will either not stir, or furiously gallop.”
Resource
How are we to be patient yet concerned? We show our concern when we invest the appropriate amount of time in it. We follow through with God in our study time and in our prayer time.
How Do We Apply This?
- Realize the hope that comes with patience.
- Be patient, but also be concerned.
- Seek God.
- Worship Him as He is due.
- Be holy as God is holy (I Pet. 1: 16).
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
Resource
Father God. We praise You, Lord. Help us to learn Your patience. We want to endure without grumbling against fellow disciples. Thank You for the hope that comes with the patience. Amen.
What do you think?
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We have to be at a place where we can be taught. We have to be docile. Docile means easily taught.
To read a devotion in the Docile series, click on the button below.
Docile series
A big part of that is being submissive. We have to know that God is in control — and let Him be.
We all have our harvest. Thomas talked about that. He wrote, “To the Christian man the produce, the result of his ever-ripening life, will be in its habits, experiences, and fellowships, a harvest of ‘precious fruit.’”
Resource
Thomas’ Persuasives to Patience
https://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/thomas/persuasives_to_patience.htm
Paul told us what the fruit is. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5: 3-5 ESV).
We grow as we wait for Jesus to return. We are growing in grace and knowledge (I Pet. 3: 18). We are growing to be more like God.
The goal is to establish our hearts. We’ve been calling it getting it down to the heart level. We have to set our hearts on things above.
To read a devotion in the On Things Above series, click on the button below.
On Things Above series
It is best we do this soon. Jesus is coming, and it seems like things are aligning to herald His return.
We have to be ready.
Being Content in Our Work
Being Content in Our Work
Being Content in Our Work
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