Patiently Waiting Like The Farmer
James 5:7-9
It can be hard to patiently wait for God to move when you are mistreated.
In James 5:1-6, God Hears and He Responds, we learned that the rich Christians were financially abusing the poor Christians. We also learned that God disciplined the rich by annihilating their wealth. Feel free to click this link to review that blog – https://www.dorothyjhaire.info/2020/09/23/god-hears-and-he-responds/ .
Even though the rich were now much poorer, the victimized poor were still unpaid, hungry, and in some cases dying. How would their circumstances be improved?
James’s instructed, “So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7a).
Bible scholars differ on the meaning of the phrase “until the Lord comes.” For example, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible reads, “The coming of the Lord Jesus – either to remove you by death, or to destroy the city of Jerusalem and bring to an end the Jewish institutions, or to judge the world and receive his people to himself.”
However, Tony Evans explained, [James] “isn’t referring to Christ’s return to rapture the church. He’s exhorting them to be patient until the Lord comes to intervene in their historical circumstances.” Evans’ explanation makes more sense to me because the poor are crying out to God for immediate relief from the mistreatment of the rich. I welcome your comments on this difference of interpretation between Barnes and Evans.
James gave three examples of how the hurting poor Christians could be patient while waiting for God’s judgment on the oppressive rich and for God to bless the poor. Because each example of patience is different and meaningful, we will study them in three separate blogs.
In this blog we will study the farmer. “The farmer waits [expectantly] for the precious harvest from the land, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:7b-8).
“The early rains normally lasted from mid-October to mid-November while the late rain spanned key portions of March and April. Thus the two main harvest and planting seasons came in fall and spring. Farmers, however, hardly sat idle in between but rather worked hard in weeding, hoeing, fertilizing, and doing whatever they could to bring their crops to full fruition.” (Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
The farmer can do nothing to force God to send rain or control the growth of the seed, but he can position himself to be blessed with an abundant crop by doing all he knows to do. Then he must wait for the appointed time for the harvest.
“In a similar way, when we are waiting for God to bring something to pass for us, we keep doing what we know to do – praying, believing, spending time in the Word, fellowshipping with God, and being a blessing to other people” (Joyce Meyer).
My Sisters and Brothers, God hears your pleas, sees your tears, feels your hurt, and He will respond. While you are waiting to be delivered from your enemies, consider the rest of James’s action plan:
- Verse 8 – “You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near.” Stay focused on God. Do not dwell on the wrong done to you. Place your enemy in the hands of God and leave them there. Strengthen your heart by staying committed to God.
- Verse 9a – “Do not complain against one another, believers, so that you will not be judged [for it].” Do not resort to judging your enemy. You have cried out to God. Trust Him to move on your behalf. Do not abort your deliverance with complaints.
- Verse 9b – “Look! The Judge is standing right at the door.” Praise God in advance. In due season He is coming to rescue you. Do all you know to do and prepare to be blessed!
In what ways are you like the farmer? In what ways are you different from the farmer? Join the conversation.
Dr. Dorothy J. Haire
Author & Blogger
Both church planter and pastor of Bread of Life Christian Church for the last 18 years, Dr. Haire is a beloved mother and successful author. Empowered to deliver the word of God to His people, Dr. Haire uses her digital platform to educate and develop Christian communities that are rooted in the word of Christ.
Again another admonishing yet encouraging articulation of God’s word!
Words of wisdom so softly spoken that speak depths to the mind/heart.
Thank you!
Beautifully done. A good reminder to remain patient and continue preparing for the answer/harvest that is to come.
The book of James is one of my favorite teaches us on how to wait patiently on the harvest. Thank you Pastor Dorothy.
Beautiful blog as always Every paragraph Of the blog Reminds us to be patient and wait on the Lord Yet I think The truth and true meaning of being patient and waiting Comes out as to BE in EXPECTANCY! Waiting is to be in Expectancy. If we can Somehow keep it in mind to Expect ( know its coming, its going to happen) then the Waiting is less pressure.
I’m like the farmer in ways by making sure I cover the areas I have put seeds in. I read, trust God,help others etc . It has become a part of who I am and God releases His blessings when its time.
Thank you Dr. Haire on this weeks blog. I can identify closely with Tony Evans version “until he Lord comes”. Crying out to the Lord for that breakthrough on whatever we’re going through we’re to believe that God is working things out for our good, stay focus, wait on God and praise Him by faith, trusting it is done!
I’m like the farmer, waiting patiently on the Lord, finding myself trusting more in God as I stay focus in the things of the Lord.
I’m different from the farmer. I choose to be content, not judging or accusing others, fighting or throwing fits.
So, I choose to trust that God hears my cry, to patiently wait on the Lord and not abort that which He has in store for me. Amen!
Some time ago, I heard a snippet of a conversation about this very same Scripture. I was unable at the time to listen to the entire explanation but I did have an opinion.
I was extremely happy to read your Blog because it explained very succinctly what I was feeling and believing was being said.
I could not believe that the poor and oppressed would have to wait until they got to Heaven to receive the relief they were in need of in THIS present time!
I thank you for putting into words what I felt in my heart to be the meaning of this Scripture! God did not put us here on this planet to be continually downtrodden and oppressed, He stated in His word that He has already made a way of escape! I believe that you have explained a way in this blog!
We have to be patient and wait on God. We say we believe and trust God so we have to wait no matter how long it takes.
Just as a farmer plant seeds, I brought my need to God. In my situation if God did not intervene there was no hope. It was a prayer of desperation. During my waiting period, I learned that I was on God’s timetable and not mine. God taught me that I needed to go on with my Father’s business while he worked it out. I needed to do what he called me to do. As I spent time with him God changed me. My eyes were turn off the situation and put on him. He took my fears
and panic and replaced it with his peace, joy and strength. In due season God did answer my desperate prayer. Praise God he took that situation and just worked everything out. He gave me more than I imagined more peace more love more faith. He gave me ears to hear his voice and a determination to help others in the same situation. Yes, the harvest came in God’s timing. He worked it.
I agree with Pastor Evans. God shows up to heal and help. We must wait. WAIT!! THIS doesn’t get easier, how we handle the situation speaks volumes about our faith in God. I am like the farmer
I stand expecting God to fix it. I grow weary, but He holds me steady. He carries me, helps me to HOLD.OUT until victory comes
Waiting is not easy for me at times and I know its not easy for other either. God have place things into my spirit that I have acted on, but it seem that its not producing like I think it should. but its not about what I think. I have to wait for God to do what only he can do when the time is right. I believe and trust God, but then I get in the way, so I have concluded that no matter how long it take I have to stand fast and wait on God, who know much better that me because he have already made the way.
Like the farmer, I find myself preparing to bring my “crops” into fruition the best why I can.
Like some in the comments, I too get impatient and and feel as if the rain will never come.
This article has been a reminder to stay steadfast and prepare.
Thank you for the great content!
Iam like the farmer to day, I can wait on the Lord, because he has given me a spirit of patient in my heart, by faith in his word.