If I’m honest with myself, I’m not really a patient person. I don’t think my natural wiring lends itself to “chilling out” and buckling down for the long haul. Certainly this digital age of 140 character sentences, four minute videos, and six paragraph blogs hasn’t helped my tendency to be a bit of a pinball. But this morning James tells me to be patient . . . to establish my heart . . . to stand firm . . . to place my feet firmly on the Rock that is my compassionate and merciful God (James 5:7-12).

As an example, James says, look to the prophets and their patient endurance of suffering as they spoke the word of the Lord (v. 10). Not hard to do as I’ve just finished reading four chapters in Jeremiah. Jeremiah was one patient dude. Talk about your “fruitless ministry” . . . no one’s listening . . . other self-proclaimed prophets are popping up and counter-prophesying, saying that it won’t be as bad as Jeremiah has declared . . . the religious leaders want to kill him. I think I’d be looking for a new calling if I were Jeremiah.

So what keeps someone keep going when there are so little visible results? James provides this perspective . . . anticipate the harvest.

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. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand . . . behold, the Judge is standing at the door.  
                                                                                    (James 5:7-8, 9b ESV)

The principle of the farmer is simple, do the work you can and plant seed (that’s his responsibility) . . . then wait for the rains (something he doesn’t control) . . . and wait for time to pass (something he can’t rush) . . . and then harvest the crop.

Living for Christ is like that. I need to do my part . . but then I need to wait on God to do His part . . . and to do it in His time . . . knowing that He gives the growth (1Cor. 3:6) . . . reminded that He is the Lord of the harvest.

And three times James reminds me of the surety of the harvest . . . the ultimate bringing in of the sheaves . . . that Jesus is coming soon.

He’s at the door . . . that glorious event is just around the corner. And as I anticipate it . . . as I set my heart on it so much that I can taste it . . . then a steadfastness can be known as I determine to “keep on keepin’ on” as I wait for it.

That’s what keeps the farmer tending his field . . . the expectation that the seeds will grow into a bounty . . . and the anticipation of the jubilation of harvest . That’s how I’m to be . . . it’s all about planting seeds now . . . it’s all about being faithful . . . regardless of the circumstance . . . because I know He is coming.

Until then, I am to be patient . . . to stand fast . . . to believe . . . to look up . . . to discern the signs of the time . . . and, from time to time, turn my face heavenward, close my eyes, and smile . . . smile a deep smile of assurance . . . anticipating the harvest . . .

. . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .