James 5:7 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
James starts this section with “be patient,” not words I like to hear. He also tells us we need to have the same type of patience a farmer needs to be successful. I remember growing up on a farm, and there was much preparation required to produce the crops needed to feed our family, and the livestock we owned.
My Dad would begin in the late fall getting the soil ready for the next spring. He would plow under the plants that had died after the vegetables were harvested. Late in the winter he would test the soil and apply whatever nutrients were lacking to produce a good crop the next spring. In the spring he would plow, plant, and fertilize the ground. Now it was time to wait and allow nature to take its course.
The next step was to trust God for the proper amount of rain. We patiently waited as the seeds would germinate and pop their heads up through the soil. Usually, at this point, some type of insecticide would be applied. We watched for weeds to invade and quickly plucked them from the crop. If all went as planned in about 65 to 70 days we would have a variety of fresh vegetables. My Dad taught school and farmed. Both took great patience. It gave him great satisfaction to see the harvest of knowledge from kids, and the food produced from working the soil. He always showed great patience in both situations. It was the results that made it all worthwhile.
James pictured the Christian as a spiritual farmer, looking for a spiritual harvest. Our hearts are the soil, and the seed is the Word of God. God sends the sunshine and the rains to see us through and allow us to achieve our harvest. Galatians 6:9 tells us “in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Often the farmer experiences pests or drought that may wreck the crops. His heart is discouraged as he sees his work, future food, and money fail. However, he does not give up. A farmer has a strong resolution to keep on plowing! We must have that same kind of resolve when it comes to our spiritual life. We can endure these tough times if we understand that God is producing a harvest in our lives. He wants the fruit of the Spirit to grow, and the only way to perfect our lives is through trials and troubles. God wants us to depend on him, to yield to him, and allow him to grow fruit in our lives. If we want to overcome being impatient we must trust him.
We must have that same kind of resolve when it comes to our spiritual life. We can endure these tough times if we understand that God is producing a harvest in our lives. He wants the fruit of the Spirit to grow, and the only way to perfect our lives is through trials and troubles. God wants us to depend on him, to yield to him, and allow him to grow fruit in our lives. If we want to overcome being impatient we must trust him.
James 5:8 “Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
We also must establish our hearts by letting our purposes, and faith become firm and unwavering. We can’t allow Satan to cause us to doubt. We must take God at his word! When we allow his Word to penetrate our life, sinking deep within our souls our faith will be firm and unwavering. We have little time and we need to work, wait, and trust until he returns.
Farmers teach us a couple of other things. Their work is never done and neither is ours. When you are waiting for the fruit there are still things to be done. When we are waiting on God’s fruit we must be busy studying, praying, and planting the seed of his word in every heart possible. If there is one lost soul out there we can’t stop.
James 5:9 “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”
Another aspect of a farmer is their love for their neighbor. One of the wonderful marks of a farmer is their willingness to help one another in times of need. In verse 9 James is encouraging us to avoid “grudges.” When a farmer has weeds or pests that can harm his crop, he does whatever is needed to eliminate them as soon as possible. We need to be patient with God’s people. to extend the patience that God has extended to us.
We need to remind ourselves of the grace that has been extended to us. The mercy he has shown us, and the limitless “do-overs” we have been given. True love for others will cover a multitude of sins!
