James 5:7-8

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

James’ audience had become all too familiar with oppression. Whether at the hands of the rich or at the hands of the overbearing Roman Empire, life for the 1st century Christian was hard. James started his book by encouraging believers to “count it all joy when you suffer” (James 1:2) and as he nears the end of his epistle he returns to the theme by emphasizing the role of patience in the life of a Christian.

When the Lord returns, all accounts will be settled. Every wrong will be righted and every injustice will be paid for, but until that great and terrible day arrives, we must have patience. James points us to the example of the farmer, who knows that in due time the crop will rise out of the ground and grow to maturity. I’ve never done any farming, but I can imagine being full of anxiety waiting for the rains to come and then for the first sign of the crop to poke its head up through the soil. Like the farmer, we must wait patiently for the final outcome.

God’s full plan has already been established and He has given us access to it by His Word. One day, a new Heaven and a new Earth will arrive (Rev 21:1). One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:9-11). One day, He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain (Rev 21:4).

Don’t focus too much on the news of the day, but rather, focus on the best news that is yet to come. Be patient. Stand firm. He is coming for His bride.