"Be PATIENT, my friends, until the Lord comes back. Remember how patient farmers are as they WAIT for their valuable crops to mature and ripen. They also WAIT PATIENTLY for the spring and fall rains to do their work. You too must be patient! Don't give up, because the Lord could arrive at any time! And don't complain – especially against each other – or God will judge you! Remember that the real Judge is standing at the door! Another example of patience in the face of suffering is God's prophets who spoke God's truth in hard times. Today, we honor them for their patient endurance when they suffered unjustly. Then remember the example of Job. Job continued to patiently trust God while enduring great pain. But we know how God fulfilled his purpose for Job and that his plan for Job ended in good because the Lord always treats us with tender compassion and merciful kindness."James 5:7-11
WHEN IS WAITING PATIENTLY AN ACT OF FAITH?
1. WHEN
you can't control your circumstances.
"Be PATIENT, my friends, until the Lord comes back. Remember how patient farmers are as they WAIT for their valuable crops to mature and ripen. They also WAIT PATIENTLY for the spring and fall rains to do their work. You too must be patient! Don't give up, because the Lord could arrive at any time!"James 5:7-8
2. WHEN
the truth is unpopular.
"Another example of patience in the face of suffering is God's prophets who spoke God's truth in hard times. Today, we honor them for their patient endurance when they suffered unjustly."James 5:10-11a
"Don't grumble about each other, my brothers and sisters, or God will judge you. Remember, the great Judge is coming. He is standing at the door!"James 5:9 (NLT)
3. WHEN
pain is unbearable and unexplainable.
"Then remember the example of Job. Job continued to patiently trust God while enduring great pain. But we know how God fulfilled his purpose for Job and that his plan for Job ended in good because the Lord always treats us with tender compassion and merciful kindness."James 5:11
WHAT SHOULD I REMEMBER WHILE I'M WAITING?
1. REMEMBER
God is in control.
"Be patient, my friends, until the Lord comes back." James 5:7
"Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:8
"Don't complain . . . the Judge is ready to come!" Jam. 5:9 (NCV)
2. REMEMBER
that God rewards patience.
"We consider BLESSED those who have persevered." Jam. 5:11 (NIV)
"Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing IF we don't get discouraged and give up." Gal. 6:9 (LB)
3. REMEMBER
this is not the end of the story.
"We know how God fulfilled his purpose for Job and that his plan for Job ended in good because the Lord always treats us with tender compassion and merciful kindness."James 5:11b
"'I know what I am planning for you' says the Lord. 'I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I'll give you hope and a good future!'"Jer. 29:11 (NCV)
HOW DO I TRUST GOD DURING A DELAY?
1. LIKE FARMERS,
wait expectantly. Get ready.
". . . I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised." Ps. 130:5 (LB)
"No one who waits for my help will be disappointed." Isa. 49:23 (TEV)
2. LIKE THE PROPHETS,
wait without complaining.
"It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lam. 3:26
3. LIKE JOB,
wait confidently.
"If a man dies, can he come back to life? I will wait for better times; I will wait till this time of trouble is ended." Job 14:14 (TEV)
"Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint!"Isa. 40:31 (NLT)
"The Lord isn't being slow in keeping his promise to return. Instead, he's waiting on you, being patient with you, because he doesn't want anyone to be lost and perish. Instead he is giving you time to change your heart and turn to him!"2 Pet. 3:9
