Reading: James 5
My Verse: "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 late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (5:7,8).
Our society today seems to have succumbed to the tyranny of the urgent. We rush, rush, rush. Even when seated we cannot be quiet - cell phones, computers come out. We must be constantly busy. We strive to keep our minds ever engaged in something. The busyness seems to be what we need to make us feel like "Yeah I have a life!" We want to be responding to the seemingly ever urgent matters in our life.
I just saw a news report on our need for 'white space.' In other words we need to learn how to quiet our minds, to let our minds rest. We seem to have forgotten how to be still - to enjoy a quiet moment. This is something You told us in Your Word. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Is this why we keep so busy? Is it to avoid thinking of You?
James paints a lovely picture here of the farmer waiting "for the precious fruit of the earth." He tells us we need to learn to be as patient. For as surely as the harvest will come for that patient farmer so You will one day return for us, Your followers.
James goes on to tell us to "establish your hearts." The Amplified Bible explains this - "strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty." That final certainty is the fact that You are coming back!
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going" (John14:1-4 ESV).
So, yes, Your return is imminent. I am to look forward to that with the patience of a farmer - full of hope and anticipation.
Dear Lord, I pray I do not succumb to the tyranny of the urgent - that keeps me from looking up - that keeps me from being still - that keeps me from patiently waiting for You!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "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 late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (5:7,8).
Our society today seems to have succumbed to the tyranny of the urgent. We rush, rush, rush. Even when seated we cannot be quiet - cell phones, computers come out. We must be constantly busy. We strive to keep our minds ever engaged in something. The busyness seems to be what we need to make us feel like "Yeah I have a life!" We want to be responding to the seemingly ever urgent matters in our life.
I just saw a news report on our need for 'white space.' In other words we need to learn how to quiet our minds, to let our minds rest. We seem to have forgotten how to be still - to enjoy a quiet moment. This is something You told us in Your Word. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Is this why we keep so busy? Is it to avoid thinking of You?
James paints a lovely picture here of the farmer waiting "for the precious fruit of the earth." He tells us we need to learn to be as patient. For as surely as the harvest will come for that patient farmer so You will one day return for us, Your followers.
James goes on to tell us to "establish your hearts." The Amplified Bible explains this - "strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty." That final certainty is the fact that You are coming back!
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going" (John14:1-4 ESV).
So, yes, Your return is imminent. I am to look forward to that with the patience of a farmer - full of hope and anticipation.
Dear Lord, I pray I do not succumb to the tyranny of the urgent - that keeps me from looking up - that keeps me from being still - that keeps me from patiently waiting for You!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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