By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Be Patient

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“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.”
James 5:7 New International Version

Patience.  A very hard word for me with my personality.  I am not  a contemplative, but a type A personality, and waiting does not come easily.  I get frustrated when events don’t happen on my timetable and when my expectations are not met in a timely manner.

And James tells me, “Be patient, be patient until the Lord’s coming.”  Stand firm, wait on the Lord.  As the farmer waits for the rain, so wait on the Lord.

Ron has planted this field in very dry conditions.  The rain must come or the seed will not sprout and grow and there will be no crop next year.  And so Ron waits patiently in hope in the Lord and in His promises.

And so we wait on the Lord and His promises.  And in the waiting our faith grows and our patience expands.  Patience is not a virtue I can pull out of my psyche.  Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that comes as I wait on Him who sent His Son for me, who died for me, who always keeps His promises, who has perfect timing.

And that timing is God’s perfect timing.  “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son…”  (Galatians 4:4a)  Not too early, not too late, but at the time appointed God keeps His promises.  And in the waiting, my faith in my merciful, patient, loving God grows and grows.

Lord, we wait upon You.  We trust that You will keep Your promises at the proper time.  Grant us grace to wait patiently like the patient farmer so that we might glorify You in the name of Jesus when He comes at the proper time. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado