"Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return." Hmm. I'm afraid I have to admit that I'm usually not impatient for the Lord's return, and that should be setting off alarm bells. James seems to assume that it would be normal for a believer would be impatient for the Lord's return. We must be careful not to become so attached to this world that we neglect spiritual and eternal values.
James uses a farmer as an example of someone who waits patiently for the harvest. I would mention here that the farmer is not idle while waiting. He carefully does much work to ensure a good harvest. So it is with spiritual things. We are not to sit by the window, watching the sky for the Lord's return, but rather we are to be busy about His business while we are waiting. vv. 7-8
v. 9 reminds us not to grumble about one another. Often we blame other people for our troubles, and this verse reminds us not to do this. We should take responsibility for our own actions and decisions.
Job from the Old Testament is given as an example of someone who endured with patience, and God blessed him. vv. 10-11
v. 12 is a reminder to always tell the truth. If we have a reputation for always telling the truth, then we will be believed when we answer with a simple yes or no.
Psalm 145
The Psalms make it clear that we as believers are to be praising the Lord. This psalm begins by telling us to praise the Lord every day and forever. So it's a good idea to start now! Today I will focus on God's attributes as given to us in the psalm. Maybe you would like to look for them and see how your list matches up with mine.
God is
- great, v. 3, 6
- powerful, v. 4, 11, 12
- a miracle worker, v 5, 6
- good, v. 7
- righteous, v. 7, 17
- merciful v. 8, 9, 14
- compassionate, v. 8, 9
- slow to get angry, v. 8
- filled with unfailing love. v. 8
- glorious, v. 5, 11, 12
- eternal, v. 13
- our provider, v. 15, 16
- kind, v. 17
- close to all who call on him in truth, v. 18
- listening, v. 19
- our protector, v. 20
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