Thu, 23 November, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

James 5:7-11

⁷ 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. ⁸ You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. ¹⁰ As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ 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.

James urges us to be patient while we wait for the coming of the Lord.

What do we learn from this?

James is teaching us that there will be difficulties in our lives. There will be suffering and hardships. If anyone tries to tell you that the Christian life will all be roses and sunshine, they are not telling you the truth. We will suffer to some degree, and we are called to suffer with patience.

This is not an easy thing, but knowing that being a Christian does not exempt us from difficulties should help prepare us to endure patiently.

Where is Christ in this passage?

We will suffer until Jesus Christ, our Lord, returns. He is going to come back some day to judge the living and the dead and to usher in eternity. Our role is to remain steadfast until either we die or Jesus Christ returns.