Stand Your Ground

James 5:7–12 NLT

7 Dear brothers and sisters,* be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! 10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. 12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Introduction: Everybody Knows What It Means to Wait

We all know something about waiting.

You wait for winter to be over. You wait to get through a construction zone. You wait for rain. You wait for hay to be ready. You wait for a storm to pass.

James is talking to Christians who are waiting, too. They were suffering. They were being mistreated. They were wondering when God was going to make things right.

James doesn't tell them, “Give up.”

He tells them: “Stand your ground. The Lord is coming.”

Christian patience isn't sitting around doing nothing. It's remaining faithful while you're waiting on God.

1. WAIT PATIENTLY — BECAUSE THE LORD IS COMING

James 5:7–8

James gives us the picture of a farmer.

“Think about the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” — James 5:7 NLT

A rancher understands this.

You can prepare the ground. You can plant the seed. You can mend the fence. You can put the cows where they need to be.

But you can't make it rain.

There are things only God can control.

Greek definition: makrothumeō — “be patient”

The word carries the idea of long-suffering, enduring without giving in to anger or retaliation.

James isn't saying, “Pretend everything is fine.”

He's saying, “Don't quit because you're tired of waiting.”

Scripture:

— “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.” Psalm 27:14

— Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31

— “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Romans 8:25

Cowboy illustration:

Even a good, young, ranch horse doesn't learn everything in one afternoon.

You work with him. You ride him. You correct him. You give him time.

You don't throw the saddle away because the horse didn't become perfect on day one.

God isn't finished with you either.

You may be waiting for an answer to prayer. You may be waiting for a prodigal child to come home. You may be waiting for God to open a door.

Don't throw in the reins.

The Lord is coming.

2. STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART — DON'T LET SUFFERING MAKE YOU BITTER

James 5:8–9

James says:

“Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

Greek definition: stērizō — “strengthen, establish, make firm.”

It's the picture of something being made stable and firmly established.

When the wind blows across Montana, you find out which fence posts were set properly.

The same thing happens to our faith.

Trouble doesn't always destroy faith. Sometimes trouble reveals whether our faith has been anchored in Christ.

James then warns:

“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.” — James 5:9

Notice what suffering can do.

When we're hurting, we can become impatient with God and irritated with everybody else.

We start kicking at the people closest to us.

Scripture:

— “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” Philippians 2:14

— Put away bitterness and forgive one another. Ephesians 4:31–32

— Don't allow a root of bitterness to grow. Hebrews 12:15

Cowboy illustration:

When a horse gets scared, he'll sometimes kick at whatever is closest.

People can do the same thing.

Something goes wrong in our lives, and instead of taking it to God, we kick at our spouse, our kids, our neighbors, or our church family.

Don't let your pain turn into bitterness.

Take it to Jesus.

3. LOOK AT THE EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO ENDURED

James 5:10–11

James says:

“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

Then he points to Job.

“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.” — James 5:11

Greek definition: hypomonē — “steadfast endurance.”

It means remaining under something rather than running away from it.

That doesn't mean Christians enjoy suffering.

It means we don't abandon God when suffering comes.

Job lost his possessions, his children, his health, and even the support of his friends.

But Job kept coming back to God.

And James reminds us:

“You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.”

Scripture:

— Suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. Romans 5:3–4

— “Patient endurance is what you need now.” Hebrews 10:36

— God will restore and strengthen those who suffer for a little while. 1 Peter 5:10

Cowboy illustration:

You don't build a tough ranch horse by keeping him in the stall.

You expose him to things.

Wind. Cattle. Noise. Mud. Water. Hills.

The goal isn't to hurt the horse.

The goal is to make him dependable.

God can use the hard seasons of life to make us spiritually dependable.

4. WATCH YOUR WORDS — YOUR CHARACTER SHOWS UNDER PRESSURE

James 5:12

James concludes this section:

“But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath by heaven or earth... Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’”

James is calling Christians to be people whose word can be trusted.

Greek definition: nai — “yes”

Greek definition: ou — “no”

In other words:

Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.

You shouldn't have to swear on everything you own to convince people you're telling the truth.

Scripture:

— “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’” Matthew 5:37

— The Lord delights in those who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22

— “Don’t lie to each other.” Colossians 3:9

Cowboy illustration:

There's an old saying in the West:

“A man's word ought to be worth something.”

That's even more true for a Christian.

Our reputation should be:

“If they said it, you can count on it.”

Not because we're cowboys.

Because we belong to Christ.

5. KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

James 5:7–12

James keeps bringing us back to one central truth:

The Lord is coming.

That's the Christian's hope.

We're not waiting for life to become perfect.

We're waiting for Jesus.

Scripture:

— We look forward to the “blessed hope” of Christ's return. Titus 2:13

— Christ will return and His people will be with Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

— “Look, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:12

— “Yes, I am coming soon!” Revelation 22:20

Cowboy illustration:

When you're riding across a big pasture, you can get focused on the rough ground underneath your horse.

But you need to keep your eyes on where you're going.

Christian, don't spend your whole life staring at the problems beneath you.

Lift your eyes.

Jesus is coming.

Conclusion: Don't Throw in the Reins

James gives us four simple commands:

Wait patiently.

Strengthen your heart.

Endure suffering faithfully.

Keep your word.

Why?

Because the Lord is coming.

You may be going through a season right now that doesn't make sense.

You may be tired.

You may have prayed about something for years.

You may wonder why God hasn't intervened.

James says:

Don't quit.

The farmer waits for the rain.

The rancher waits for the harvest.

The horse learns through the miles.

And the Christian waits for the King.

Final Challenge

Are you standing firm while you wait for Jesus?

Our ultimate hope isn't that life gets easier.

Our hope is Jesus Christ.

He died for our sins.

He rose from the grave.

He is coming again.

So until He comes:

Keep your faith. Keep your heart right. Keep your word. Keep serving. Keep riding. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Don't throw in the reins. The King is coming.