It’s good to be patient.

My Louw-Nida Greek dictionary defines patience like this: “a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation.”

In James 5:7-8, we learn WHY we can be patient. As his readers face hardship, he says this: “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

They should be patient because Jesus is coming back! Hope is on the horizon!

It’s a reminder that hardship will not always dominate our lives like it does now. Jesus will return and make all things right. The world will find relief. He will punish evil. He will reward faithfulness. And he will wipe every tear from our eyes.

We won’t need hospitals because illness and death will be things of the past.

Granted, we don’t know when that will be—which is why we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, continue talking and walking with him, take rest seriously, and keep supporting one another.

But knowing that what we currently see isn’t all there is to see compels us to orient our hearts to a glorious future that is promised to those who love God.

Patience: “a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation.”

Don’t despair. Be patient. Trust.

Everything might not be okay today; but one day it will be.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Today’s devotional is connected to my most recent sermon (Nov. 22, 2020): “Hitched to hope.” Click here to access YouTube or audio-only download options.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.