You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8 NABRE
James in his letter to the community is warm and encouraging. He’s summoning those reading the letter to persevere through trials in order to become mature in character, to grow, moving toward perfection. In this section of the letter he will counsel them to be patient, to be firm and to not complain about one another, advice intended to help them (and us) to trust God. James tells them to draw strength from those who have lived before them. He tells them to be patient, although it appears that the rich are succeeding, they should be patient, the day of the Lord is coming and with the Lord they will be proven positive and glorified. James wants them (and us) to make their hearts firm, strengthen their hearts so they won’t easily be distracted or convinced to change heart. Through the single-mindedness of heart they will be able to remain patient, to wait on the Lord, despite what is going on all around them. He writes the coming of the Lord is at hand. They would have believed that the return of Jesus was any day, certainly well with in their life time. Yet, two millennia later we are still waiting on the return of the Lord. Clearly God’s time is not our time. But also it is a message to always be ready, the Lord can come at any time.
James is giving advice we should all take. Patience in all we do leads to peace and a lack of torment. It is when we are anxious and rushing that we can be thrown off course by simple or little things. With patience and a steady heart we can endure any predicament or difficulty. Steady hearts are not easily despaired, or stressed. In fact a steady heart can give us control and courage constantly.
Do you work to have a firm heart? Are you able to be patient in all matters?
Patience in all we do leads to peace and a lack of torment. It is when we are anxious and rushing that we can be thrown off course by simple or little things. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #firm #patient #James #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways