Be Patient

James 5:1-8

There are many paradoxes in life. I think one of the most ironic ones is waiting 45 minutes in line at a fast food restaurant! Living in a fast food, fast internet, fast cars, and fast travel age, we have lost one of the most critical attributes of the early church: Patience!

We have been groomed in our high tech culture to get what we want when we want it. Through Amazon prime we can get our orders in 1 or 2 days, and online grocery orders we can pick it up, not even having to get out of the car at some places. By this we are able to avoid long lines and price checks, only just to hurry along to rush through the next task of the day. This lifestyle has stripped us of one of the most reoccurring teachings throughout scripture: Patience!

James is addressing the church in one of its most afflicted times. Since many Christians had been scattered they were having to take the available jobs that many didn’t want. A lot of these jobs were in agriculture or crafting and because of their desperation, many of their bosses were taking advantage of them, withholding some of their wages. They worked hard for next to nothing and they cried out to God for justice.

This was James’s response to them from the Holy Spirit: Be Patient! He reminds them of the story of Job and talked about how patient Job was in his affliction. He reminded them that the Lord was “pitiful” unto Job and that his later end was better than the beginning. Then he says when the Lord comes again that he will bring truth and justice with him and make things right.

We are experiencing today the trying of our patience. Many of us feel that we have been cheated, robbed, or mistreated. There have been politicians that have manipulated their way to power, corporations that have gouged and took advantage of both employees and consumers in a time of crises. There have been governors who shut down places of worship while allowing bars, strip joints, and ABC stores to remain open. It is really unfair and it seems that “no one calls for justice!” (Isaiah 59:4) But there are a people who are crying out for justice and it is not seen in protest in the streets, but is heard by God from his people in prayer closets and prayer meetings.

I remind you today what Abraham said to God. “Will not the judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25) God is a just God and he will bring justice upon all who act unjustly. We just have to be patient and wait on him. How do we do this?

· We establish our hearts (v. 8)

· We keep looking for Christ to come (v. 8)

Establish in this sense means to “plant down.” Or as we say in the south “Hunker down.” In times like these we need to focus on allowing our roots to grow deeper so that we will not falter under the false winds of doctrine and deception that is destroying our culture today. We also need to let our roots grow downward that we may bare fruit upward. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.

With all the injustice, lies, deceit, and blasphemy in our our culture today we have to accept that not all will receive recompense in this life. But when Christ comes again he will judge both the living and the dead and each will receive their just payment for their wickedness and rebellion towards God and his people.

Jesus said “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19) Let us do as James said and “Be patient therefore brethren until the coming of the Lord.” (v. 7) “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry!” (Hebrews 10:37)

God bless and I love you all!

Pastor Robby