Scripture: Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as 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 5:10-11
Observation: James' message has a few themes, and one of them is patience during times of trouble. He uses two examples here for us to follow, the prophets, and Job.
Job suffered direct hardship. He had plenty, and had all his livelihood, family, and health taken from him. He then sat in mourning for all his losses, seeking an understanding of God's justice. Eventually, he would not receive that understanding ... he would only have explained to him that he could not understand God's ways without any explanation about why he had suffered.
The prophets had different hardships. Some were alive during hard times (like Jeremiah and Ezekiel). Some were condemned and lived hard lives for their prophesies (like Elijah). For all, none of them received earthly rewards for their prophecies, and most did not live to see their fulfillment, but instead simply trusted in God for their faithful lives.
James cites these as examples of patience. Thus, "patience in the face of suffering" is not just about waiting, but rather is about waiting ... without any understanding of how a situation will resolve ... and without even knowing if the situation will ever resolve. As a result, we must find blessing in the process of walking through the hardship, and not in the hope of the future outcome.
Application: Over the last few months, I find blessing in the strengthening of my prayer and worship life. I find blessing in the daily seeking of the Holy Spirit. I find blessing in a softening of my thoughts and heart toward others. I find blessing in a hope that, as I approach the latter days of my life, I have work to do in God's kingdom for which he has chosen to prepare me.
James' lesson is that I both find and cling to these blessings, regardless of what happens next. This I will do. I will be changed - by God's hand, in faith in Jesus, and through his Spirit - by my experiences.
Prayer: Lord, as I continue on this walk, I know there is something ahead that I cannot even think of. Your ways are beyond my understanding, so I look forward to how my experience may serve you. May I be your vessel during the second half of my adult life. Amen.
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