Thursday August 4, 2022

Thursday – August 4th – James 5:7-8     -----     
 
7) 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.
8) You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
 
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
      THE HEART IS A TRIANGLE THAT ONLY THE TRINITY CAN FILL.*

     Happy Thursday to you! I realized as I was inserting the inspirational thought for today that some of you are also, in addition to reading this scripture blog, utilize the Daily Walk Bible program as well. If you don’t mind, please send me a message to let me know who among you are doing both of these daily studies. In the Daily Walk this week we are reading the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah who served God leading up to and during the capture of the city of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 587 BC. The accompanying reading from Tuesday still haunts me as I think of how Jeremiah’s words from twenty-six hundred years ago still contain a chilling sense of relevancy today – whether we like it or not.  “The malignancy of idolatry and hypocrisy has permeated every segment of Judah’s national life: families (7: 18), teachers (8: 9), shepherds (10: 21), and even prophets and priests (8: 10). Thinking that their privileged position as God’s chosen people will ensure their immunity from God’s wrath, they continue in a pattern of worthless worship. Because of their rebellion and indifference, their homeland will soon be reduced to a heap of ruins by the invading Babylonians— a thought that reduces Jeremiah to a river of tears.” I too find myself with tears in my eyes for our world.
     In our scripture verses for today, James begins a new topic that focuses us on being prepared yet patient as we wait for the return of the Lord. As mentioned before the early church had every expectation that Jesus would return within a short time following his accession. James is writing this letter around 49AD, or approximately sixteen years after the resurrection. This was a much longer timeframe than any of the early believers anticipated. During this “extended wait” the faith of some believers often waned and waffled as struggles and challenges came along. James’ instructions to be patient, despite the injustices listed in verses 1-6, were likened to the wait that farmers endured between planting and harvesting. On the opposite end of the spectrum Christians today typically give little thought to Jesus’ return, and as a result we often lose any sense of urgency in sharing the Gospel. The Bible reminds us over and over again that we are to live in a continued state of expectancy of the Lord’s coming.

Blessings
  Pastor Jim
Friday – August 5th – James 5:9

*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Kindle Locations 41375-41376). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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