Playback speed
James 5:7–8
Waiting sounds easy – until you have to do it! Waiting can be incredibly difficult and demanding, especially if you don’t know how long you are going to have to wait for. Waiting for medical test results, for a member of the family
to make contact or for someone to repay a debt, for example, can sap your energy and leave you feeling exhausted, disappointed and confused.
The challenge we have to face is that Christians are called to be a waiting people. We are all waiting for the Lord’s return, and no one can be sure when it is going to happen. He is going to return, because that is what he promised to do. In Acts 1:11, after Jesus’ ascension, his disciples were assured, “Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
I had relatives who were so sure of the Lord’s imminent return that they believed that it was inappropriate to store any food. They felt the Lord might return in the next day or two and so it was irresponsible to keep supplies. That was taking it a bit far in my view, but God certainly does want us to live with the daily awareness that this very day might be the day of Jesus’ return.
Israel is a very hot country, but it also enjoys a considerable rainfall. There are two distinctive times of rain – the early rain that starts in October and the latter rain, which falls in May. The farmers can wait for the rain with confidence. In the same way, we are able to live our lives with the certainty that history is in God’s hands and that, one day, Jesus will definitely return, just as he promised.
Question
Are you ready for Jesus to return today and, if he doesn’t, are you willing to wait with patience?
Prayer
Thank you Lord that history is in your hands. Help me to be ready for Jesus’ return, whenever it happens. Amen
Released on 7 Mar 2024
James 5:9 The Bible introduces us to lots of grumbling people. Most famously, the people of Israel, who whinged after God had miraculously led them out of slavery in Egypt. They had been there for 400 years and, at last, were set free by the migh...
James 5:11 We don’t know exactly what James’ readers were facing, but clearly it was tough for them to live as Christians. They needed to persevere. Amid all the temptations, distractions and persecution, they needed to hang in there for God....
James 5:12 James isn’t talking here about bad language but about the very common practice at the time of trying to strengthen a statement by taking an oath. Jews made a distinction between oaths made in the name of God, which could never be broke...
You’re almost there! To access this content
A world of great Christian audio is just around the corner
We are SO excited to announce the return of Premier Christmas radio for a second year running! It's finally time to get festive with our pop-up Christmas radio station. Allow us to fill your days with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this winter with our carefully crafted Christmas radio. Listen Now