James 5:7-8 (CSB)
Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Patience is a beneficial quality that as Christians we should have and is a quality that we can keep improving, day by day. Most of us get impatient at times, but just think, how does being impatient make us feel? It mostly makes us feel angry, stressed and anxious. It takes away our peace. If we improve on our ability to become patient, we keep our peace and then we don’t have the negative feelings of anger, stress and anxiety which destroy our peace.
As we await the Lord’s return to earth, we should be patient in our waiting. No one knows the day or hour of His return, only God knows. God’s timing is different to our timing. We should trust God. We are told to strengthen our hearts as we wait. We do this by reading God’s word in the Bible, by praying daily, filling our minds with good things and not dwelling on the bad things, and putting our trust in God.
The context of James, chapter 5, tells of rich unbelievers who were being oppressive towards Christians. James was encouraging the Christians to be patient as they waited for the Lord’s return. James knew the Christians who were being oppressed were suffering, but he urged them to be patient. James encourages the Christians to pray to God and to pray for each other. Earlier in James, chapter 5, he gives a warning to the rich, unbelieving oppressors. He tells them of the miseries that will be coming on them, when the Lord returns and final judgement is made.
Dear God,
We pray for patience and strength as we wait for Jesus Christ to return to earth. We know your timing is perfect and your plan for us is perfect. Help us to fill our minds with good things and not dwell on bad things. We pray for your peace to rest on us, as we wait for Jesus Christ to return. Guide us in our prayer life and keep us in Your word always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Onward Christian Soldiers 