James 5:8 - Preparing for the Rapture.
James 5:8 - Preparing for the Rapture.
James 5:8 (NIV) You too, be patient and stand firm, because the
Lord's coming is near.
James 5:8 (NLT) You, too, must be patient. And take courage,
for the coming of the Lord is near.
James 5:8 (CWR) You, too, need to be patient. Strengthen your
hearts and stand firm in the faith. Don't give up hope, because the
coming of the Lord is sure.
INTRODUCTORY THOUGHT
"We should not only understand the importance of our waiting
on God but also realize something even more wonderful - the Lord
waits on us. And the very thought of His waiting on us will give us
renewed motivation and inspiration to "wait for him." It will also
provide inexpressible confidence that our waiting will never be in vain.
Therefore, in the spirit of waiting on God, let us seek to discover exactly
what it means right now.
The Lord has an inconceivably glorious purpose for each of
His children. "If this is true," you ask, "why is it that He
continues to wait longer and longer to offer His grace and to provide the
help I seek, even after I have come and waited on Him?" He does so
because He is a wise gardener who "waits for the land to yield its
valuable crop" and is "patient ... for the autumn and spring rains"
(James 5:7). God knows He cannot gather the fruit until it is ripe, and
He knows precisely when we are spiritually ready to receive
blessings for our gain and His glory. And waiting in the sunshine of His
love is what will ripen our soul for His blessings. Also, waiting
under the clouds of trials is as important, for they will ultimately
produce showers of blessings.
Rest assured that if God waits longer than we desire, it is
simply to make the blessings doubly precious. Remember, He waited four
thousand years, "but when the time had fully come, God sent his Son"
(Gal. 4:4). Our time is in His hands, and He will quickly avenge those
He has chosen, swiftly coming to our support without ever delaying
even one hour too long. Andrew Murray [Streams In The Desert By
Cowman re Isa. 30:18]
PATIENCE NEEDED
Patient - the word carries the idea of endurance, bearing the
burdens and fighting the battles until the Lord comes. [Wiersbe
Expository Outlines]
If you have sown the right seed, you will eventually reap a
harvest of blessing, so be patient. If others have exploited you, be
patient; the Judge is at the door. If you are going through trials, be
patient; God is still on the throne. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary
by Warren Wiersbe]
ADVANCE THE KINGDOM
The farmer must wait patiently for his crops to grow; he cannot
hurry the process. But he does not take the summer off and hope that
all goes well in the fields. There is much work to do to ensure a
good harvest. In the same way, we must wait patiently for Christ's
return. We cannot make him come back any sooner. But while we wait,
there is much work that we can do to advance God's kingdom. Both the
farmer and the Christian must live by faith, looking toward the future
reward for their labors. Don't live as if Christ will never come. Work
faithfully to build his kingdom--the King 'will' come when the time is
right. [Life Application SB]
PERSONAL PREPARATION
Men must use the time given them to prepare for the coming of
the King. They must be sober (1Pet 4:7). They must get to themselves
holiness (1Th 3:13). By the grace of God they must become blameless in
body and in spirit (1Th 5:23). They must put off the works of
darkness and put on the armour of light now that the day is far spent
(Rom 13:11-14). Men must use the time given them to make themselves
such that they can greet the coming of the King with joy and without
shame. [Barclay Commentary]
One thing that the New Testament does say about the Second
Coming is that it will be as sudden as the lightning and as unexpected
as a thief in the night. We cannot wait to get ready when it comes;
we must be ready for its coming. [Barclay Commentary]
John uses the Second Coming as a reason for urging men to abide
in Christ (1Jn 2:28). Surely the best preparation for meeting
Christ is to live close to him every day. [Barclay Commentary]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
A young boy was playing in his grandmother's house near a
large grandfather clock. Noontime was approaching, and when both hands
of the old timepiece reached 12, the chimes began to ring.
As he always liked to do, the boy counted each gong as it
sounded. This time, however, something went wrong with the clock's inner
mechanism. Instead of stopping at 12, it kept right on chiming--13, 14, 15,
16 times.
The boy couldn't believe his ears! He jumped to his feet and
ran into the kitchen, shouting, "Grandma! Grandma! It's later than
it's ever been before!" In his excitement, the youngster expressed a
truth we all would do well to consider.
It is later than it's ever been before--in the history of the
world, in the days allotted to man, and on God's calendar of events.
With each passing hour, the words of James 5:8 take on added
significance: "The coming of the Lord is at hand."
This fact is both comforting and sobering. It is reassuring
to know that the day our Savior will come for us may be near. But
at the same time, we must honestly ask ourselves, "Am I living in a
way that will bring His commendation?" Think about it!
Remember, "It's later than it's ever been before!"
May I live so that I will be ready
With joy my Savior to meet,
And feel no alarm at His coming
But hasten His heralds to greet. --Anon.
Be ready for the last moment by being ready at every moment.
[Our Daily Bread re 1 John 2:18]
A mile from the finish line of the London Marathon, thousands
of onlookers holding signs lined the route. When spectators spotted
a family member or friend coming into view, they shouted the
person's name, waved, and yelled encouragement: "Just a little farther!
Keep going! You're almost there." After running 25 miles, many
competitors were barely walking and ready to quit. It was amazing to watch
exhausted runners brighten and pick up the pace when they saw someone they
knew or heard their name called out.
Encouragement! We all need it, especially in our walk of
faith. The book of Hebrews tells us to keep urging each other on. "Let
us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, . . . but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
approaching" (10:24-25).
The New Testament is filled with the certainty that Christ
will return soon. "The Lord is at hand" (Phil. 4:5). "The coming of
the Lord is at hand" (James 5:8). "Behold, I am coming quickly"
(Rev. 22:12).
As we "see the Day approaching," let's keep cheering each
other on in the faith. "Keep going! You're almost there! The finish
line is in sight."
Help me, Lord, to reassure and strengthen
Others by the words I speak today;
I would always try to be affirming,
As our pathways cross along life's way. --Hess
Even if you have nothing else to give, you can give
encouragement. [Our Daily Bread re Heb. 10:24]
MINI DEVOTIONAL VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/2078 [A Better
Way To Live By Shawn Boonstra]
