The Lord's Coming Draws Near James 5:8

James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” told his readers within the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” they should “be patient...unto the coming of the Lord” because “the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth”. The Lord is long-suffering for His “fruit”, and He will wait until “he receive the early and latter rain”, and in chapter five and verse eight of his letter, James reaffirms being “patient” because “the coming of the Lord draws near” where we read:

Be you also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.

The verse begins, “Be you also patient; establish your hearts:” James began with the words, “be you also patient” which is the Greek phrase “makrothymeō hymeis kai makrothymeō” “ means “of a long spirit which does not lose heart and perseveres bravely while enduring misfortunes and troubles”; “establish” or “to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix, render constant, strengthen and confirm” “your hearts” which refers to “the centre of all physical and spiritual life”. James exhorted his readers to “stabilize” their “hearts” and souls while “bravely” enduring their difficulties.

The verse goes on to say, “for the coming of the Lord draws nigh.” James continued, “for the coming” or “because and since the advent and arrival of the future visible return from heaven of Jesus to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “draws nigh” or “brings near and joins one thing to another”. Jesus Christ's will return, and as we wait, we must be “patient” and “establish” our souls.

When we consider these words of James, we understand his exhortation and encouragement to “be patient” and have “assurance” in our commitment to Jesus Christ. Jesus could be “coming” at any moment, and the scriptures tell us Jesus will “return” for His bride - the church. While we wait for His coming, we must patiently endure the troubles and trials we face on earth and consistently and constantly be looking for His imminent return - “Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus”.

Next time James tells his readers to “Grudge not one against another”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.