Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published December 15, 2010 on www.whataboutjesus.com
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7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7-11
How long, O Lord?
You were fired from your job because you refused to participate in unethical behavior. Your friends stopped hanging out with you because you turned down an invitation to a drinking party. Your spouse ridicules you for getting up and going to church on Sunday mornings. When a faculty member finds out you are a Christian he speaks of you as narrow-minded and unscientific and seeks to undermine your credibility.
At times the life of a Christian is difficult. Thoughts can easily come into our minds and say, “I’m glad I’m not a Christian,” or “I wish I weren’t a Christian.” Suffering because we are connected with Christ is not easy. Giving up and abandoning Christ seems like the easier choice. We may think, “Why keep putting ourselves through this?”
Christians of all generations have suffered in one way or another for their faith. It’s hard. It’s not fun. It challenges our patience and willingness to stand firm and stay true to Christ. To the outsider it may make Christianity unattractive.
Yet here’s the perspective we cannot forget. The Lord is coming back and will restore and reward all those who have clung to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of their sins. The blessing of heaven will far outweigh challenges we encounter in this life because of our faith. “The Lord IS full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).
The farmer suffers through long days and nights of planting. He fixes tractors when they break. He works hard to save crops after hail and storms. Yet he doesn’t give up because the reward of the crop is worth it.
Dear reader, don’t give up. The Lord will return. Know that you will be blessed as you have persevered! ”I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Prayer: I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Amen.
(Psalm 119:107)