The Challenge To Be Patient

by Pastor Mark
May 24, 2024

The problem with being impatient

There is much injustice in this world. Often, such injustice goes unpunished and evil appears to win the day. The brethren that the Apostle James was addressing faced a similar problem. They were facing much suffering because of the wicked rich. The brethren were being cheated financially and were not getting the justice they deserved from the courts due to corruption. They were getting impatient…for justice to be served. Yet, justice would only be served by the Lord Jesus when He comes again as Judge of all (James 5:9). The challenge was for the brethren to be patient.

The challenge to be patient

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” (James 5:7)

  1. The brethren were challenged to be patient in facing their difficulties.
  2. Patience could be cultivated through the work of the Holy Spirit (James 4:5).
  3. The grace of God was also given to help them to be patient (James 4:6).
  4. It is only when the Lord comes again that He will mete out ultimate justice.
  5. This means that there may be no clarity as to when the Lord will come.
  6. Let us be challenged to wait patiently for the Lord’s justice.

A fitting imagery of patience

“See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” (James 5:7)

  1. The imagery of the farmer was most appropriate.
  2. James was familiar with farming and the two seasons of rain in a year.
  3. The early rain (October–November) is meant to soften the soil so that the farmer can plough the land and plant seeds.
  4. The latter rain (March–April) helps to ripen the grains for harvesting.
  5. The farmer would have to wait patiently for these two seasons for the land to yield its precious fruits.
  6. A farmer truly illustrates what true patience is.

Inspiration for patience

“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8)

  1. The farmers set an excellent example of having the patience to wait.
  2. Use of a command/strong entreaty…a strong challenge to be patient (James 5:7,8).
  3. Let us be inspired and challenged by these examples to be patient.

Establish your heart

  1. For the brethren, their hearts were not established for the following reasons:
    1. Their hearts were still drawn to sin…to be more focused on self rather than others.
    2. Their hearts loved the world rather than the Lord.
    3. They had a heart of pride rather than a heart of humility.
  2. The challenge is to establish faith in our hearts.
    1. When we have greater faith in the Lord, we will be able to find a greater focus and love for Him.
    2. Our hearts will be filled with humility, and we will learn to submit ourselves to the Lord and His Word.
    3. There will also be greater trust in the Lord Jesus as Judge and in waiting patiently for His coming to deal with all injustices.
    4. Let us be challenged to establish a heart of faith in the Lord and His justice.

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