The Book Of James Pt. 51 The Path Of Blessing Is Waiting On The LORD

Patience is a great virtue!

James 5:7-9  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8)  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9)  Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 

The apostle James is teaching us to be patient as we endure the general troubles of life, or as God permits trials to test our faith. 

He also teaches us to be patiently waiting and anticipating the coming of Jesus Christ. The apostle uses an agricultural example of the early and later rains needed for a bountiful harvest. 

Thus, believers in Christ are exhorted to be constantly working for the Lord, as we wait for Christ's return. 

We are to be worshipping the Lord in all that we do. Our incentive is knowing that Jesus will reward any of our service that is done with a right motivation. 

However, we may suffer loss of reward for anything we have done in our flesh (See for example, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15). 

James warned us about the sin of having a grudging heart. God's law forbids being grudging in spirit in helping our family, friends or neighbors. God loves a cheerful giver rather than someone who really wants to hang on to his money. 

God's prophets patiently suffered for His name's sake. 

James 5:10  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 

James follows his instruction with additional encouragement, by giving us examples of those who had endured suffering and trials with patience.

His example for us to think about, are all of the prophets who spoke for Jehovah. The best way to grasp this is by reading from Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11:32-34  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33)  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34)  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

The writer of Hebrews expands on the them of those who maintained their faith, even though the promises of God were not realized in their lifetimes. 

Ten Holy Spirit empowered actions of the prophets are detailed in verses 33-34. Through faith in Jehovah, His prophets subdued other nations to deliver Israel from destruction. They performed righteous works like Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, that pointed the people to God. 

Some were like Abraham and obtained promises from God. Some were like Daniel, who prayed to Jehovah when he was cast into a den of hungry lions. The LORD answered his prayers by restraining the lions from harming Daniel. 

Some prophets quenched the violence of fire. For example, Lot escaped the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not harmed when cast into Nebuchadnezzar's  fiery furnace.

David and Elijah both escaped such a sword, as did others in various accounts. Jeremiah prophesied of those who would escape the sword when exiled to Egypt, returning again to Judah. 

Ezekiel speaks of those who “escape the sword” from among the nations as well. The few people of faith, living in exile, would be spared.

Gideon and Abraham each routed enemy forces that were superior, and caused them to flee. Gideon used 300 men holding lanterns, and Abraham took 318 men to rescue Lot.

Hebrews 11:35-36  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36)  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 

Elisha and Elijah raised people from the dead. 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that many of God's prophets were tortured, cruelly mocked, scourged, or placed in bonds and imprisoned (See Jeremiah).

Mocking a prophet is cruel because God always calls His people to repentance that they might be restored to Himself. 

Thus, rejecting the prophet's message, brought sure judgment from God upon the Jews. Divine judgment could have been avoided, had they simply obeyed the prophet's commands to repent. 

Hebrews 11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 

Zechariah was stoned by an evil king of Israel. Many were like Elijah, wearing goatskins and sheepskins, wandering about until God sent them to His people. 

These prophets were often homeless, and penniless in the eyes of the world. They were often afflicted by Jews who did not want to hear from God. 

God's suffering prophets obtained a good report. 

Hebrews 11:38-40  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

Here is God's testimony of His prophets. The world was not worthy of their ministry, yet, in love, God sent them anyway. 

They obtained a good report from God because they were zealous for the honor and glory of His name. God recognized their service and faithfulness. 

James is teaching us that in like manner, we may suffer great losses, but God has something far better for us waiting in heaven!

Blessing is connected with patient endurance. 

James 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

James reconnects with the beginning of his epistle. We are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials of life, or when God permits a testing of our faith. These are good gifts from God that help us grow and mature as Christians. 

The path of blessing for us is found when we patiently endure all things, knowing that our Father in heaven has planned it all, and that it will work for our good. 

Jesus taught us about blessing when we are reviled. 

Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

James reached back to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and reminds us that we are blessed when men revile us. We are blessed when they speak evil of us or persecute us, for the sake of Jesus name and His glorious gospel. 

Jesus commands us to rejoice and be filled with gladness when these things happen to us. Our Master suffered greatly in our place, and we are not superior to Christ. Therefore, believers will suffer in this life but will be rewarded when we are in the presence of our Lord. 

James used another example of patience, the patriarch Job. This man was stripped of all his worldly possessions, deprived at a stroke of all his children, tortured in body with sore disease. Job was tempted by the devil, harassed by his wife, and belittled by his friends. 

Nevertheless, Job held fast his integrity and resigned himself to the providence of God, and did not sin. Jehovah was indeed very tender after Job's trial was over. He had more children and greater riches than before.  

Let our speech be careful and honoring to God. 

James 5:12  But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. 

One of the leading thoughts of James has been warning against sins of the tongue. (See James 1:19; 1:26; 3:1-12; 4:11; 4:13; 5:9). 

He spoke against unrestrained speaking, the love of correcting others, and railing, cursing, boasting, murmuring. 

One grievous form of sinful speech James has not mentioned until now, is swearing. "Above all things, my brethren, swear not."

Vile language is so commonplace in our culture. Yet, James reminds us that the words from the lips of a Christian should never be words of cursing or vile speech. 

Thus, the apostle warns us to be guarded in our speech and careful in what we say. 

Matthew 5:33-37  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34)  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35)  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36)  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37)  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

The words of James certainly echo the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, regarding our speech. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

James has give us much to think and pray about. 

We must pray for the Lord to root out any grudging heart from us. 

We must ask the Lord for grace to help us endure with patience, the trials of life and the testing of our faith.

We must ask the Lord to set a watch in front of our mouths so that we do not sin with our speech.

A common thread in all of this is waiting on the Lord with patience. May we allow the words of the Psalmist to bless, exhort and encourage us as we walk this pilgrim path.

Bob 

Psalm 25:5  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 27:14  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalm 37:9  For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 37:34  Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalm 130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.