Daily Bible Reading Monday 7th December 2020
by William Moody
James 5:7–12
Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,1 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.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Footnotes
[1] 5:7
Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 10, 12, 19 (ESV)
We live in an instant world where we want everything at the touch of a button. Many of the fruit of the Christian life do not coming instantly at the touch of a button but rather come after many years of perseverance and trials. James uses the example of a farmer (v7) who sows and then has to wait many months for a harvest to teach us to be patient.
When waiting, we are to be encouraged to keep persevering because the Lord’s coming is near (v8). When Jesus returns the days of trial will be over.
One problem with waiting and being discouraged is that we can then turn on each other with grumbling (v9). We’re reminded once more not to judge because the One eternal judge is very close.
Considering the lives of the prophets (v10) and a person like Job (v11) will help us to persevere. How God came to the aid of these men shows us that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy and that is what we particularly need in days of trials.
How v12 fit sin to the flow of this passage is difficult to see, but it reminds us that in every situation, there is no excuse for not acting with integrity and reverence towards the Lord.
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