Morning Moments

JAMES Devotional Outline

V. Miscellaneous Messes 5:1-20
A. External Pressue 5:1-12
1. Treasure 5:1-3
2. Treatment 5:4-11
a. Exploitation 5:4
b. Existentialism 5:5-6
c. Exhortation 5:7-11

5:7. 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. 10. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 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.

This exhortation is for the personal patient perseverance of the pardoned saint by remaining focused, faithful, and fruitful unto the final moment.

James uses the illustration of the farmer who has ploughs, prepares, plants, and then patiently waits for the fruit of his labor, or the one with the vineyard who treats, trims, tends and takes care of the vineyard, then waits patiently for the fruit to appear. The husbandman has done what he can and now it is up to God with the early and latter rains for the elements are under His control. "Some plant, some water, but He is the One who brings the harvest; He gives the increase.

And what if the harvest fails? We trust God with it, to work it for our good and His glory. And if there is a bumper crop? We praise God that this time he send beyond what we asked or thought. Either way we can trust Him when we are "stablished" in the faith as verse 8 says and we do not waver for we know that the Lord of the Harvest is coming soon and our labor of faith and love will not have been in vain. He will not forget it.

So what if another seems to receive greater blessing than you? Thank God for it and rejoice with your brother or sister in what God has done, and in so doing know this, that your reward is coming soon. Don't grumble and begrudge those who seem to have more. Understand that they will be accountable for more and you for less. The Righteous Judge is coming soon and He is just and will reward each according to his faithful work. So judge not lest ye be judged.

Always remember the saints and servants of God given to us as examples of suffering and sacrifice, persecution and perseverance. Read Hebrews chapter eleven but DO NOT MISS the conclusion about those of whom the world was not worthy; those who staggered not at the promises of God but who lost everything, lived in caves, fed to lions, were destitute, etc. We must learn to see life from God's perspective and as the text above concludes - "...and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." I don't know about you, but that's enough for me.

BLESSINGS!