James 5:6-7 & Psalm 73 (Part 15) The Importance of Patience

The Importance of Patience

• “Therefore”—v. 7

• Speaking to the rich (v. 6)—that abuse the righteous

• In light of the abuse—“be patient,” v. 7

• That is absolutely contrary to human viewpoint

Sequence

• Judgment is coming for the unjust, v. 1

• God is slow in executing justice

• This is a concern for believers

• Is living right really worth it?

Psalm 73—rests on a spiritual condition

• The wicked often prosper, v. 3

• The godly often suffer, v. 14

• Conclusion—living right is not worth it, v. 13

Three parts to Psalm 73

1. Wrestles with the wicked prosper and godly suffer, vv. 1-14

2. A turning to God, vv. 15-20

3. Brand new growth, vv. 21-28

The conflict, vv. 1-14

• Starting point for conflict: encounter with truth, v. 1

• “Truly”—Hebrew word for absolute conviction—“God is good”

• Problem—impersonal conviction (doesn’t make it personal until v. 28)

• He works his way from impersonal to personal

• Principle: truth never becomes personal without enormous conflict

• Comes close to a fall, v. 2 (v. 13 shows how close)

o Transitional attitude, v. 13

o Final attitude, v. 28

God never condemns struggle—only wrong reaction.