“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”
James 5:7-12 NKJV
The waiting game
I have to admit that getting up in the morning can be a struggle. In the back of my mind, and on the top of my heart, is my desire to be with the Lord. I feel as one watching a large pot of water come to a boil, and it seems to be taking far too long. The world events are pointing to the events of the times to come, building in me a strong yearning for the return of the Lord.
Reading James chapter five this morning, offered some comfort in my waiting, for I was reminded that the Lord knows that we are anxiously awaiting Him, and like long, long ago, Jesus coming is at hand.
It is closer now. Because it is closer, we who are Spirit filled followers of Jesus, have a building tension, much like that of approaching the end of a long journey, suffering through that last mile, filled with anticipation.
But, we can have faith in the One who has sent us on this journey, for we know that He is waiting at the end, eager to welcome us. Because we know that He is waiting, we can have the confidence to be bold, going and serving Jesus with no regard for self, but giving all for the cause of the Gospel.
We press on to maturity and holiness, that we find a great prize at the end of the journey.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”
Philippians 3:12-16 NKJV
It is so crucial that we be of the same mind, focused on the goal of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is our primary calling and everything else that we do springs from it. The pressure that we will endure in the coming days, weeks, months and perhaps years, could create fractures amongst the saints, for the evil one desires that brother go against brother and sister against sister.
As Paul cautions, the Judge is standing at the door. All that we do is being evaluated by the Lord, for He is watching us, and discerning our actions and motivations, to determine our worthiness for upward call.
Brothers and sisters, let us cling to the Lord in these times of waiting, that we find comfort each day ion knowing that the Lord is coming soon. Let us look at the events happening around us, not with fear and anxiety, but with hope. The Lord has given us a down payment, a promise in His Holy Spirit, for even as our Savior seems so far away, He is with us, He is in us.
““And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
Revelation 22:12-15 NKJV
Let us be mindful of the temptations the evil one will cast in our paths to trip us up, for we must be on the guard. Sometimes the last m miles of a long journey are the most dangerous, for in our desire for completion, we begin to cut corners. Let us have the mind of Paul, who desired to finish well, and not be disqualified.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV
Read your bibles daily, seeking to be reminded day after day of the glory to come. The Lord is truly at hand. The Lord has given us a mission of occupy us in these latter days, and the harvest is ripe. Even in my little church, we are witnessing the beginning of the great harvest, for the Lord is bringing many souls to repentance and faith in Jesus.
Above all else, let us live as ambassadors of Jesus, reflecting the One who saved us. If you give your word in any situation, follow through, for we are living in a world that is looking for reasons to rejecting the saving Gospel, for the pain of leaving sin seems overwhelming.
We reflect the glory to come, the coming Kingdom, of which we are a foreshadowing of those who will inhabit it. May we approach all with love and understanding, showing who God is and not who we are in the base nature of our flesh.
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Musings from an idle mind 
Philippians 3:12-16 is exactly what I needed Bernie! Perfect timing to help me minister to a friend. Thanks so much for your faithfulness!
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