Good Morning Friends,
On Friday the devotional was about how Jesus’ love opens spiritual eyes, inviting us to trust deeply, believe in his power, and embrace the healing that transforms our hearts and lives. When we receive this compassion and mercy of the Lord in our life it acts as a foundation for our faith to grow and with our faith, patience that the Lord will complete the work He has started in us. This perspective, this foundation, changes everything. It impacts us and others when we show compassion and mercy as well. We are to be models of good behavior, building our collective assets. It is within such a context that James directs his comments in today’s scripture. He calls on us to have patience, to follow the example of farmers who wait unhurriedly for the crop. We need to develop the skills of living in community, to grow in love. The judge is standing at the doors of our hearts, the doors of the Kingdom stand before us, so do not stop before the goal is reached. If you want to avoid His judgment on the journey do not be a stumbling block for others. We are to stop grumbling. What Do You Do When You Have To Wait?
Scripture: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV)
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
James 5:7-11 (NRSV)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Message: Water is a commodity of growing importance in the world. That many of the world’s deserts are on our same latitude is not a comfort. Some places have too much and then too little. In Florida we have entered the dry season and the advent season and the tourist season. The reality is that it may be several months before we get significant precipitation and out of the gridlock traffic. Now it is fine, we have hope, we focus on Jesus and his reign but it still may seem like a long time to wait. Still it can be a time of growth. For patience is developed by living a life of faith. Here we develop a calm endurance that comes with the knowledge that God is in charge. James tells us the truth about this attitude but Jesus demonstrated it. Remember how patient Jesus was… think about the prophets and Job and let them inspire you too… Let them compel you to be patient with others. Pursue patience, friends. Do not judge the work of the Lord until it is completed. Victory requires persistence. Victory requires patience. Let the fruit ripen. Stop grumbling and start living…start giving. Who knows, we may be entering a time when farm bots will water and weed our gardens. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we actually turned on the spigot? Who knows we may actually be entering a time when we get paid a penny for each and every one of our thoughts. So would you be worth the penny per thought. Who knows? You might be the one to figure out how to have traffic flow without gridlock. Maybe you will have a thought that could make the wait worth it.
And So, When waiting, trust Jesus’ love and power, keep faith alive, and embrace His timing, knowing He works for your good even in delays.
Pray for those who do not think they are getting their fair share. Pray we not reject Jesus. Pray for the joy, love, peace and contentment that is found on the journey along The Holy and Heavenly Highway of Hope. Pray for gentle rain. Pray for His reign. Pray we trust His judgment. Pray we share in the restoration and relief that comes in sharing in the hope of God’s future kingdom and glory. Pray we see some of the beauty of God’s earthly reign even now as we rejoice in the miracle of nature, the restoration of life and the ransomed return to the Promised Land. Pray we have courage. Pray we not fear. Pray that we rejoice with hope.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 