Patience is a virtue!
In today’s busy world it seems as if the idea of having any type of patience is nothing more than a pipe dream. This kind of mentality is something which is not portrayed very often, and in most cases not at all in some circumstances. Patiently driving behind someone who is moving along at a speed of 35 mph, in a zone set at 55 mph, is not likely going to take place. Or, standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, when there is only one cashier and a half dozen people with full grocery carts are ahead of you. Then there are the times you are 20 minutes early to a doctor’s appointment and you do not get in to see the doctor till an hour after your scheduled time. I am sure some of these predicaments you can relate to just like I can.
There is a situation calling for patience which the writer James speaks about in the fifth chapter of his book. Beginning at verse 7 and going thru 9, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, 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. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judges; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
When will the Jesus return just as He said He would? Who knows my friends! Yet, we are to wait patiently for the day of His arrival. And, while we wait, we are to prepare ourselves for His glorious coming. With love for the Lord in our hearts, and a desire to serve him in our minds, we can be about the business of honoring our Master and building the Kingdom of God. James also tells us and encourages us in verse 10, “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” Certainly, these servants prophesied about the coming Messiah for centuries, yet never got to see Him with their own eyes.
Jesus, the Savior long foretold, did come just as was promised. He did faithfully fulfill the saving work the Father sent Him to do. And, He will come again with power from on high just as He said He would. Be patient, be prepared, and be about the Lord’s business till He arrives or takes You before then to your eternal home. Pastor McCarty