Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door. Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider 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. Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.
– James 5:7-12
Devotion
James encourages his readers by reminding them that Jesus will return to set up His Kingdom on earth. The second coming of Christ will set all things right. Jesus will accomplish God’s original purpose for creation. Therefore, James encourages his readers to “be patient” and to “persevere” despite this world’s trials and tribulations. While we wait, we are to be patient and stand firm in our faith in the Lord Jesus. In the end, the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. One of the keys to persevering in this world is for us to be grounded in God’s character. Oswalt Chambers once wrote, “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.” You come to know the character of God as you spend time in His Word!
The Big Question
Are you currently experiencing suffering in your life? Are you encouraged by the promise that Christ will return to make all things new? Does your faith in Christ enable you to be patient and persevere in the face of trials? Are you deeply grounded in your understanding of the character of God? Are you a man/woman of your word? How are you living out God’s Word today?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.