Devotion: James 5:8

James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

It seems from reading these devotions on patience that a lot of them relate to the end of ages somehow. Either they are telling us to be patient, the end is near or telling us He is patient. Either way, this is not our first verse that mentions the Lord’s second coming.

The letter from James addresses believers who were facing economic injustice, oppression, and persecution. James encourages them to endure through the challenges, not retaliate or grumble. In verse 7, James uses the farmer waiting for the rains to illustrate that patience is required to see the final reward of harvest (James 5:7). He then follows up with You, too, be patient… 

Sometimes it is hard to be patient when we want something so bad or worse, when we need something and know we have to wait to receive it. But remember, the waiting is what is building your character and teaching you dependence upon the Lord. Our faith in the end provision is tested as we wait. Your faith should be unshakable. It must stand firm.

And why? He says it is because the Lord’s coming is near. We don’t know how near “near” is, but know that it will be coming sooner or later, possibly much sooner than later. We simply do not know. But when His hour comes and He returns to earth, justice will be served. Those who are standing firm and waiting patiently will be vindicated and rewarded, so have faith. The end is near.

Prayer: Lord, Help me to stand firm and have faith in Your promises that are yet to come. Let me wait patiently for the day to come. Amen 

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