Consider
We have been looking at James 5:7-11
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Today: “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast”
What does it mean to consider blessed?
Well blessed in the dictionary: to be made holy; consecrated.
And steadfast in the dictionary: firm in belief, determination, or adherence
James tells us that those we should call blessed….set apart….consecrated….made holy……are those who in fierce determination adhered to their beliefs.
Hold on to your faith. Make the Word of God your foundation.
That is what it means to be holy.
To often we are stubborn but not steadfast, fickle and not faithful, and worried when we should be worshipping. James encourages us to put our trust in Him and to move forward in faith. In fact in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul will write
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Both James and Paul encourage us to remain steadfast, focused…don’t give up.
And just as runners on a marathon get excited when they see the water stand or a checkpoint, may we to be excited when we encounter the refreshment of the Word of God, be that in Church or in our own private study. And, as we run, remember we do not run this race alone. We have the Spirit of the Lord, We have those who have gone before us, and we have those the Lord has blessed us with at this time.
Run with Hope,
- Pastor Dan