Standing firm

James 5:8, NIV: “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

In this fast-paced generation, we are so used to getting everything instantaneously. Right from Eno, which cures acidity in 6 seconds to a handwash which claims to scrub your hands clean in 20 seconds. 

In our careers especially, we get so busy with trying to reach the top, that we forget to pause whilst on the way. It is imperative to pause to see how far we have come and introspect if we have shifted our focus and dependence on someone or something else. When life gets difficult and we face struggles, we soon look to God for help and depend on Him. Yet how easy it is to become self-reliant when life is smooth!

In this chapter, James is reminding us that life cannot always be like the Eno or handwash. The verse starts with ’You too’ in which James tells us that just as the farmer waits for his crop after he has done all that he could, we are told to Wait on the Lord. It is also mentioned to stand firm. 

God’s word says to believe what we have prayed for. It is very common to think, “Why do we need to pray if God knows everything?” Prayer is an act which shifts our focus from our own strength and depends on Him. It refocuses our trust which we put in the Lord.  When we are waiting on the Lord, we need to stand firm as it is very easy to lose our focus at such times of waiting. 

The Greek word for “stand firm” is a military term referring to a soldier standing his ground in battle. We are in a spiritual battle not only concerning our souls, but also the souls of mankind. And so when we face opposition from the enemy, we dare not back down but must stand our ground. God does not allow trials to come our way because He likes to watch us suffer or struggle, but because He knows it is the only way to grow us into stronger and make us more like Him.

As Jeremiah 29:11 mentions,’“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We must wait patiently on a solid ground of faith in God. He knows everything and nothing is a surprise to him. He is working all things for your good as GOD LOVES YOU.

Make use of the waiting time to discover what is God trying to speak to you. Make good use of your waiting times by exploring what God may be trying to teach you. 

Today, just pray to Jesus with an open and candid heart to renew our spirit with his Hope. 

LORD, I pray for a spirit of perseverance and patience. Teach me ways to depend on you for each and everything and use my time of waiting to know you more and grow closer to you. Amen