Wednesday 6/2/13

James 5:7 ESV

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

Farming gives us an excellent illustration of how the Lord works with us. The farmers obviously must work hard and diligent for the harvest. Nevertheless, the majority and critical part of the work is done by God. He brings the rains, makes the crop grows, and keeps the peace and the stable season. The farmers cannot do these; yet without these, the harvest won't come, and all have done would be for nothing. Similarly, in whatever we work with God, we must do diligently like the farmers, and pray God to do the rest.

But we must be patient and stay hopeful. We must be patient as the crop grows slowly and changes cannot be seen daily. We must stay hopeful and trust God that the early rain and the later rain will come. At all time, we must be strong and work diligently, to keep things in good condition the best we can. When all have been done and nothing else to do, we then stay patient and wait in hope for the Lord to do His work.