Do you need encouragement to stand firm for the Lord? Today’s reading in the book of James is for you. James is writing to the believing poor and the persecuted. He encourages them to finish strong by being patient and not grumbling. They are to keep the Lord’s coming in mind. One day soon He will return and make all things right.

James gives the example of a farmer waiting for his crops to grow (v. 7). The farmer depends on the early and late rains. Unlike farmers today, farmers in those times were at the mercy of the weather and could only pray, watch, and wait. James wants his readers to be patient, knowing that the Lord is near to them also. When He comes, it will be worth the wait.

James addresses our attitude while we are waiting. We should not be grumbling. It’s easy to blame others when things aren’t working out for us. We might be tempted to think that life would be easier if someone else did this or that. For instance, “If Jacob wasn’t so lazy, he could help me with this.” Or, “If Becky got her act together, we would have done better.”

If patience is the ability to wait on God, perseverance is the ability to trust God despite the obstacles. Grumbling and complaining indicates our lack of both. James reminds us that not only is the Lord coming (v. 7) and near (v. 8), but the Lord, our Judge, is standing at the door (v. 9), listening to all that we have to say. So, we need both patience and perseverance while we wait. Job is highlighted for his perseverance through trial. Although he had no indication that things would ever get better, he trusted in the Lord.

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