Day 325

Ezekiel 42:1–43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7

WE CONCLUDED THE letter of James today, and, as in many of the letters in the Bible, the final words of encouragement give practical life postures that we are to live into. As we look at James’s thoughts, we must remember that he wrote this letter to Jewish brothers and sisters who had been forced to relocate due to persecution:

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

For a person facing hardship, those words give a reason to go on, which means that they speak to every one of us on some level. We are reminded that a process is taking place —one in which we must be patient and practice endurance. At times, this is very difficult, because we live in a culture that promises instant gratification. However, sanctification does not operate that way —much like a farmer cannot plant seed and harvest a crop the next day. Sometimes the long wait for the wind to be at our backs rather than in our faces discourages us, and in this discouragement, we find ourselves behaving as the children of Israel —grumbling through our wilderness experience. James spoke to this with a reality check and a warning: “Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look —the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9).

In the final paragraphs of James’s letter, he provided us several postures for seasons we may go through, concluding with one posture that should always be observed:

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

It took us only a few days to read through James, but we’re left with plenty to consider and contemplate. James was forthright with us in his letter. In response, we should be equally forthright with ourselves —and God —about necessary changes that must be made in order for us to be doers, not only hearers of God’s Word.

PRAYER:

As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!