Patience in Suffering

Intro

What times in your life is it hard to be patient

The night before a big performance or a big game

the night before christmas

James was still addressing suffering christians here when he wrote “be patient”

This is the same counsel he gave at the beginning of the letter

He’s giving the same counsel

James is telling the suffering Christians how God will

Right every wrong when he returns

God will help us to endure

God will grow fruits in us to endure

As belivers, we must be patient in our suffering ebcause we know Christ will return

-1- Fix it.  These are those people eager to find a resolution.  Whether they are dealing with their own issues, and particularly when they are listening to the problems of others, they want to find a way to fix it.

-2- Forget it.  This group of people are on the opposite end of the spectrum of the “fix its.”  They run from their problems.  They are content to sweep the dirt under the carpet and move on.

-3- Fake it.  This group of people didn’t arrive here quickly.  Perhaps they first tried attacking their suffering and when that didn’t work they tried to forget it but certain issues can’t be forgotten.  And so they fake it.  They put a smile on and pretend everything is OK.

-4- Fold it.  This group folds their cards and wallows in self-pity.  In some cases suffering actually becomes a crutch that somehow helps them to feel okay about themselves.

James 5:7–12 ESV

7 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. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

james is giving 3 examples of patient endurance in this section: the Farmer, the Prophets, and Job

The Farmer (7-9)

Don’t become a farmer if you are impatient

Why are farmers so patient? Why are they willing to wait so long?

Because their fruit is “Precious” as verse 7 says.

The harvest is worth waiting for

James uses this section to say the Chrisitan is a spiritual farmer looking for a spirital harvest

God is wanting to grow a spiritual harvest in our lives (fruit of the spirit)

Verse 8&9 is giving us the way that the spiritual farmer acts...

1. Be patient (Farmers are patient)

2. Establish your hearts (work to grow and mature your hearts) [Farmers are hard workers]

3. Don’t grumble with each other…(Be at peace with your neighbors) We need to be patient with God and other people. Farmers are notorious for helping their neighbors.

If we fight with others we will miss the harvest in our hearts.

The Prophets (v.10)

The farmer teaches us to be patient and to consider God’s return. The Prophets teach us that God is caring for us in the midst of our suffering. So we can continue to live for Him.

James uses something here that His jewish audience would totally understand—the prophets were known for going through harsh persecution

They were in the will of God. Preaching for Him. but they suffered

WE must not assume that obedience to God naturally brings ease. But it does bring blessing

We think of the prophets Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and so many more. They went through terrible difficulties, but God protected and provided for them!

Often, those that follow Christ closest must go through the most difficult trials so that their lives back up their message they are teaching.

This message carries a lot of power.

How do we respond to the prophets hardship?

Spend time getting to know the prophets. How did God protect them. is he the same God today?

See how the prophets respond to hardship? Some of them responded well. Others did not respond well. How did God respond to them in those times?

The better we know the Bible, the More God can encourage us when we have difficult experiences in life.

Job (v.11-12)

You have seen how Job responded to suffering

There is no greater example of how to respond to suffering than job

Lost health, family, wealth, wife mocked him

However, God found no fault in Job

What does Job teach the Christian?

God allowed satan to test Job, but God always was in control

Job 23:10 ESV

10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

God wants us to be patient in testing. Impatience always leads to hardships (moses didn’t make it to the promise land, Abraham had ishmael). Job was patient.

When testing comes, we must find a way to be thankful for God’s person and power.

Job 1:21–22 ESV

21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

Like the farmer, we are waiting for a spiritual harvest, for fruit that will glorify God. Like the prophets, we look for opportunities for witness, to share the truth of God. And, like Job, we wait for the Lord to fulfill His loving purpose, knowing that He will never cause His children to suffer needlessly. And, like Job, we shall have a clearer vision of the Lord and come to know Him better for having been in the furnace of affliction.

“Be patient, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh!”