Patience in suffering James 5: 7-11 Part 11

Read James 5:7-11

James just spoke to the rich unbelieving oppressors, but now he turns his attention back to the congregation he was writing to. Our faith must shape every part of our lives and James is particularly interested in our attitudes while we are here on earth. He wants us to be patient, without grumbling, because the Judge’s coming is near. We must persevere, even through the difficult times. 

In a world where instant gratification is demanded, our text today calls us to be patient. Just as the farmer must wait patiently for the rain to help his crops, we too must wait patiently for the Lord’s return. A farmer cannot just take the summer off, he must work hard as he waits for the rain and for his crops to grow. So, too, we as Christians must work hard as we wait for Christ’s return. Deuteronomy 11:13-14 says, “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today – to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul – then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.” We must work to advance the Kingdom of God, living by faith as we patiently await Christ’s return. We cannot make it come any faster, Jesus will come in God’s good timing. God has promised us an eternity of perfection with Him, but we must be patient for its fulfillment. Galatians 6: 7-9 says, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Our lives, purposes, and attitudes must be changed when we are grafted into Christ. We should seek to do good as we await His return. 

Perhaps you struggle with chronic illness, or a difficult marriage, or are praying for something and you long for an answer to your prayers. James tells us we must be patient and stand firm. Time is not the same for God. What we think is a day is but a blink to the Lord. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promises as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God wants all His children to come into His kingdom, so we wait until all have come. Waiting can be harder when we suffer, we just want it to be over! We must be patient for the day when all things will be made right. James tells us the Lord’s coming is near, God will heal all believers, He will bring us to the marriage feast of the Lamb. It’s also quite possible that the Lord wants you to learn a lesson while you wait. Don’t let your impatience for earthly things derail your faith. Instead, focus on the job you’re given here and now. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, regardless of how dark or long the tunnel is. Jesus is that light and this should reassure us. We ought to be motivated to keep going by faith in a returning Savior.

I once heard an interesting story that is a good comparison on waiting. A mother had to go out, so she dropped off her two sons at a sitter’s house. The two boys were drastically different in how they awaited their mom’s return. The first boy wanted to do something for his mother, and he worked hard to make her a nice card. He didn’t worry about when or if she would come back, but instead, he kept himself busy doing something good; he simply trusted she would keep her promise and come back when she was done. The second boy stood looking out the front window, crying and complaining that she had left. Both boys had to wait the same amount of time for their mother to come back, but their attitudes, and what they spent their time on, were vastly different. Just as the first son waited patiently and was productive, so, we too, ought to be patient for Christ’s return and be productive with the time He has given us.

James is telling us not to be like the second son. We must not grumble and complain. We have all done it at some point, often about the little things in life. How much easier it is to complain when it’s about the big things. Our loved ones tend to feel the brunt of our complaints, but we are responsible for our words and actions. Just because we have times that are tough does not mean we can or should grumble. Philippians 2: 14-16 says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” How we wait matters, we will be judged for our attitudes. “The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9). We often grumble and complain about things in life. It is easier to blame others for our misery than to take responsibility for our actions. Before we judge others, we must remember two things; first – we are not the Judge, and second – if you judge others, you will be judged the same. In Matthew 7: 1-2 Jesus says, “Judge not that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Instead of judging or grumbling, focus on your relationship with God, wait patiently and stand firm. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Lean on the Lord, find your rest in Him, He will give you what you need to wait patiently, if you ask Him. People don’t want to believe in a God that judges; or that they will be held accountable for their actions. If you look to Matthew 7: 21-23 it is a harsh warning that not all will be saved. Knowing the Judge is coming should motivate us to examine our lives, be steadfast in faith, patient in adversity and righteous in all we do.

In verse 10, James tells us to look to the prophets for an example of patience. Moses, Daniel, Joshua and Abraham are just a few of them. Moses suffered 40 years with a “stiff-necked” people who complained and grumbled about food, water and more. Many times, he had to intercede before the Lord, on their behalf. In Daniel’s youth he was exiled from his family and country. He went through four regime changes and endured persecution by political enemies. He remained patient and faithful through over seventy years of trials. Joshua had to lead God’s people; at one point they walked around the walls of Jericho for seven days! Abraham had to wait for a long time for God to give him the son He had promised. Hebrews 6: 15 says, “And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”

Another thing we ought to strive for is perseverance. Often, we can get discouraged by what we see with our physical eyes, but if we look through the eyes of faith, we can see beyond our circumstances to the things God has promised. We must be patient and persevere because He is faithful and always keeps His promises. Remember His faithfulness in the past, how He delivered His people time and again. In a time where society wants everything instantly, we are called to be different. We acquire patience by facing things that otherwise might make us impatient. We must pursue faithful patience and be like the prophets who, by God’s grace, endured through all kinds of hardships.

Job persevered and always remained faithful to God. He never charged God with wrong-doing, and God blessed him for it. God did not abandon him but gave him back double what he lost. God’s plan is to bless His people. All that is wrong will be made right in His timing. He sees us in our struggles, and He is compassionate and merciful. Wait a little longer, our trials are not meaningless; they have a purpose. He is refining and purifying you. Rest in His promises and perfect goodness, only then can we endure the adversities of this life.

Be patient and wait for the Lord, “for evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:9). Be prepared for we are in the end of days. Be patient like the prophets and persevere like Job. Don’t be like the child in a car ride continually asking, “Are we there yet?” We must patiently rest in the timing of the Lord; not grumbling or complaining. God is a merciful and compassionate Judge so remember His love, count your blessings and let this motivate you to wait patiently. The Judge who condemns us also sent His Son to take our sins upon Himself and pay the penalty for our sins. He graciously gives us His Holy Spirit to help and strengthen us. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

1. Turn to Matthew 7:21-23. What is Jesus warning against? Who is he speaking to?

2. We must work hard while we wait for Christ to return, what should we be doing while we wait? 

3. Is there something in your life that makes you impatient for Christ’s return? What can you tell yourself to ease your impatience?

4. Can you think of another prophet in the bible that was patient? 

5. Are you like the first or the second son in the story? If you’re like the second son, what must change? How can you change this?