JAMES 5:7-12

SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 13 - 14, 2007

DON’T GIVE UP, BE PATIENT:  CAN “GREEN ACRES” HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS?

7 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. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 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. 12 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)

A NOTE FROM RON - Most of the time I choose--at random--passages from Scripture without a particular reason. There are times when I feel that God has led me to choose a passage needed by someone who might use these devotions. Occasionally, I like to do a series that covers every verse of a Book of the Bible so that the devotions can also be used as an aid in Bible Study. Recently I did such a series on the First Epistle of John. These can be found in the ARCHIVES of Prayer and Devotions. I like to choose Books of the Bible that are less often read and/or studied. This is the fourteenth devotion of a series on the Book of James. It is my hope that these words may be an instrument of God in helping you to draw nearer to Him.

I enjoy watching the reruns of Green Acres. The characters of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas are built in such a way that many humorous programs can be written. For Lisa, I enjoy those times when the English language gives her trouble and she misinterprets words and phrases. For Oliver, it is the rural farming concepts that give him trouble along with the bumbling of his hired man. The one thing about Oliver is that his commitment to wanting to be a farmer never lessens no matter what obstacles he faces and no matter how much Lisa wants to say good bye to being a farmer's wife and say hello to city life.

Of course, James never heard of Green Acres, and the humor would probably mean nothing to him. However, if James witnessed the total commitment of Oliver Wendell Douglas to being a farmer, he would tell us that this is the commitment we are to have as followers of Christ. In fact, James uses the farmer as an example of patience and perseverance.

I am not a farmer but I have been privileged to serve rural congregations as well as urban. I marvel at the patience of the farmer. At times the spring rains will arrive far too early, and the fields are saturated with water. As they begin to dry, a city boy like me would wonder why the farmer was not in the field since more rain was forecast. The farmers taught me that if you took the heavy equipment on the soil before it was dry enough, the soil would become compacted and not produce the crops that it would if they waited. They not only have to have patience to allow the soil to become just right, but after they sow the seed, they can look to the skies all they want, but they cannot produce the rain, nor can they make it stop. Even though things may go wrong, even though there may be times of farming disasters, even though equipment may break down, the farmer is patient because the farmer knows that patience is a part of farming. No matter how bad it might get, the farmer patiently waits for the good year that will come. As one farmer jokingly told me when he said, “I work in town in order to support my hobby.” He patiently worked another job so he could afford to continue his farming. To see a great example of patience and perseverance, I suggest reading ‘THE WORST HARD TIMES’ a story from the lives of the farmers who lived through the Dust Bowl. Many walked away but these stayed.

Having read these thoughts of the perseverance and patience of the farmer, now go back and read these verses from James again. If you are a farmer, I am sure that you will understand them, because this is the same “no turning back, no giving up” patience and perseverance of those who follow Christ.

Yes, examples could also be used from many other businesses and walks of life, from being a mother, a father, a husband, or a wife. Many people are totally dedicated to something, even addicts and alcoholics. James is writing to dedicated Christians, to you and to me. To be a follower of Christ requires a higher dedication to perseverance and patience than anything else. The difference is that when the follower of Christ looks to the skies in hope, it almost seems like a voice can be heard saying, “Hold on, persevere, be patient, I am coming soon.”

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, like the farmer has planted the seed in the ground, you have sent the Holy Spirit to plant the seed of faith in me. Now, Holy Spirit, be with me and lead me to the nourishment that seed needs that I might obtain it through worship, prayer, and the study of your Holy Word. While the goal of the world might be New York City, help me to be patient and persevere until I reach the goal of the Heavenly City and the room you have prepared for me in your House of many Mansions. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Are you like me and sometimes worry abut something in your life that you have no control over? If so, LET GO, AND LET GOD. Whatever is it, simply TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.