The Way to be Patient

James 5:8 KJV

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

The Bible urges Christians to be patient in the midst of their trials on two counts:

·       The sure judgment of those who have been the oppressors

·       The soon and certainly coming of the Lord.

Though the trials many believers face are cruel and brutal, still they are on the better end.

The 1777 campaign for American liberty was a tough one.  With winter coming, soldiers on both sides settled in but did so under very different circumstances. The British and their paid mercenaries, having occupied New York, lived in comfortable and warm homes. They dined well and enjoyed parties, social events and dances. The Americans, on the other hand, camped in the field at Valley Forge, had little to nothing to eat, little pay and not nearly enough warm clothing. They shared uniforms when it came their turn to pull guard duty because it was the only way to be protected from the weather. The British seemed to have it all. The Americans seemed to have nothing. But it was the Americans who eventually won the war.

In this world it can seem like the unbelievers have everything and the believers have little to nothing. But we have Christ and His Word and we have this assurance; Christ wins.

Therefore the Bible says to “stablish our hearts”. It has to do with our affections. The way to be patient unto the coming of the Lord is to pursue lively love and affections for Christ. Those affections will keep us on path and keep us about our Christian business.