An Unexpected Encounter

What are some things that are worth the wait?

Whatever is involved in the waiting can be worth it because of what’s coming.

James is telling us here what’s involved in Christian waiting. What is it?

Patience/Steadfastness

James started his letter with a similar imperative (James 1:2–4).

Steadfastness (endurance, perseverance, patience) - going/getting through it ability

James uses the same word here in verse 11.

But his primary command is to be patient...

Explanation of Patience (vv. 7-9)

2 questions for these verses:

What does it mean to be patient? (vv. 7-8)

Patient

long spirited, forbear, endurance, deferring anger, long-suffering, opposite of quick tempered (1:19).

to be even tempered while enduring trying circumstances

Implied is something to endure. Here (v. 10) and in 1:2-4 it is suffering, probably from a person

Implied is something to wait for. Some coming end or solution.

Waiting for what?

For the Christian it is not something in this life.

The coming of the Lord is beyond this life.

James is general and board here. This is the grand conclusion. This is what will usur Christians into their ultimate and final hope & happiness.

We are not called to be patience for something in this life. We may only have suffering in this life.

This requires faith - belief in the coming of Christ

So patience will grow as our faith grows.

Illustration of patience

The early and late rains represented the long growing season in that region of the world. Farmers in Palestine would plant during the early rains of the fall (October, November, December through January and February), then harvested during the late rains of the spring (March, April).

It also represented their dependency on that essential rain.

“he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.” (Deuteronomy 11:14, ESV)

For the farmer it was a working (preparing, sowing, maintaining, harvesting) and waiting for the precious fruit. Not idle waiting.

There is a working in what the farmer can do, a dependency upon what God would do in the rain, and a waiting for what God would provide for harvesting.

This illustrates well Christian patience or waiting. There is a “working” or living for the Christian for what seems like a long period of time, during which the christian depends upon God’s enabling for the living, with a waiting and longing for what God will bring and give in the coming of Christ.

Establish (v. 8)?

To set fast or firm, to strengthen

Hope is what does this for the farmer and for the Christian (Titus 2:11–13).

Titus 2:11–13 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

How will patience help us? (v. 9)

Notice that this is the opposite.

Grumble - complain (4:11)

Liable for judgement. It is no small matter.

This is how wrong it is. It is against the Judge of all things for all times.

Patience is preventative

Example of Patience (vv. 10-11)

2 examples in these verses:

How were the prophets an example of suffering and patience ? (v. 10)

Suffering? Rejection and God’s judgment on His people

Patience? Continuing to speak for God, foreseeing God’s salvation

Blessed - happy, benefitted, by God

How? They were the ones who received good things from God.

They were the ones who had hope beyond the judgment.

Steadfast - endured

How was Job and example of suffering and patience? (v. 11)

Suffering?

Patience? Job 1:22, Job 2:10, Job 13:15, Job 42:1–6

What God is doing

Who God is

Psalm 103:8

Psalm 103:8 ESV

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 111:4

Psalm 111:4 ESV

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

This is what grows faith - meditation on what God does and who God is (James 4:8).

You can and should choose to be patient.

Benediction: 2 Corinthians 13:14

Scripture Reading: Job 1:1 - Job 2:10