Patience

November 16

Ezekiel 39-40

Psalm 122

Proverbs 27:17-18

James 5:1-12

Patience

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” 

James 5:7-8, 11 NIV

There have been faithful followers of Jesus throughout the ages who have longed for His second coming.  Every generation since His death, burial and resurrection has been looking up wondering when He would return to take us to be with Him in Heaven.  This life is filled with pain and heartache.  There are moments of happiness and joy in the midst of the difficulty, but no one gets through this life without experiencing problems.  During the hard times, we long for a better place.  It is natural to long for what we have been promised, life without pain and tears and sorrow.  James is reminding us to be patient.   As we watch the news and examine Bible prophecy, it is apparent that the Lord’s coming is near.  Everything is lining up perfectly.  We don’t know the exact time, but the puzzle is coming together.  God is full of compassion and mercy.  He does not want anyone to experience the pain and suffering of Hell.  His desire is for everyone to turn to Him and accept His invitation of eternal life.  He is giving us every possible chance to believe and accept Him.  But there is coming a day, a day that He had planned from the beginning of time when Jesus will appear in the sky and call us home. 

Just as the farmer plans His life around the seasons of planting and harvest, we are told to plan our lives with the expectation of His return.  In every season there is work to be done for the farmer.  He does not sit around waiting for the harvest twiddling his thumbs.  He sows, tills, weeds, and tends his crop and then he waits for God to send the rain at the right time.  He is diligent and when the harvest comes, he will reap the benefits of his hard work.  In the face of suffering, Job remained faithful, and God rewarded his perseverance.  “The Lord blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first.”  Job 42:12 (HCSB) As believers, we cannot give up.  We must remain faithful, stand firm, and persevere.  Then one day, we will hear the trumpet sound and look up to see our Savior in the sky calling us home.  What a glorious day that will be!