“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (vv. 7-8)
Farming takes patience and perseverance. Farmers have to wait for many things beyond their control. They wait long days for the winter to thaw so they can begin planting. They wait for the weather to shift and bring rain to offset droughts, and the sun to push away clouds. They wait for calves to be born and chickens to lay eggs. They wait on plants to grow and for the harvest to come. Meanwhile they persevere at the task, tilling the soil, feeding the animals, putting seed in the ground.
It's no wonder then that James compares our lives as believers to farmers. Certainly his readers knew what it took to cultivate the land with hard work, patience, and perseverance. Those same qualities are integral to our lives as believers as well, while we patiently wait for our Lord’s return. We too must continue to persevere through many things beyond our control here on earth; a pandemic, the economy, layoffs, quarantines, accidents, sickness, and even the deaths of family and friends. Yet none of these things should deter us from our task of serving the LORD, and planting the seeds of His kingdom, for we know we are only pilgrims passing through and this world is not our home.
Therefore, persevere, plant the seeds of faith and hope around you, and know that your patience will bring forth good fruit in His timing - For your life and your future are in His ultimate control.
The Truth: “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4)
