October 13, 2021 (Wednesday)
James urges patience in difficult times. “Brothers and
sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of
patient resolve and steadfastness.” [James 5:10 CEB] Patience
resolve is patience in suffering [NLT] or patience in enduring hardship [NIV].
Think about what the prophet’s resolve and steadfastness in their mission cost
them.
Hebrews 11 has been nicknamed “the Hall of Faith.” It
details the accomplishments of great people who accomplished much for the
faith. Many are listed… Want to conquer kingdoms? Bring justice? Shut the mouth
of lions? Put out raging fires? Be mighty in war? Rout foreign armies? Just be
a faithful prophet of God!!! That will recruit many five-star talents.
Approaching the end of the chapter is a list of those that
suffered and ended up nameless. We read, “Others were tortured
and refused to be released so they could gain a better resurrection. But others
experienced public shame by being taunted
and whipped; they were even put in
chains and in prison. They were stoned
to death, they were cut in two,
and they died by being murdered with
swords. They went around wearing the skins of sheep and goats, needy, oppressed, and mistreated.” [Hebrews
11:35b – 37 CEB] That is not exactly a recruiting tool.
These people are our examples. The ones we know accomplished
much and suffering personally. Yet, they suffered. How would like to lay on
your side for 390 days (see Ezekiel 4:4 – 5). How many would walk around barefoot
and naked for three years (see Isaiah 20:2 – 4)? Would you like your call to ministry
to be to harden hearts (see Isaiah 6:9 – 10)? Anyone want to sign up to marry a
prostitute (see Hosea 1:2 – 4) who would be unfaithful, run away, and you would
have to buy her off the slave block (see Hosea 3:1 – 2)?
James continues, “Look at how we honor those who have practiced endurance. You
have heard of the endurance of Job. And you have seen what the Lord has
accomplished, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” [James
5:11 CEB] The only reason we know Job’s story is because Job lost his children,
oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, and servants. I almost forgot, his health. One
more thing, he lost the moral support of his wife (see Job 2:9… ouch).
How dare we claim God is a loving God, full of compassion and
mercy when He asks so much of those who follow Him? Don’t start to think, yeah
but those were Old Testament heroes. Not so fast, “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone
would come after me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross
and follow me.” [Matthew 16:24 ESV] Remember the cross was an instrument
of torture and death…
Some of us have lived lives challenged by poverty or health
issues. Some have been imprisoned, beheaded, and slandered. Yet, through all
this, we can sense God is good (all the time). We know our suffering can bring
good, like seeing souls saved.
Life happens. Awful things can happen to anyone. When the do, make it count. “Look at how we honor those who have practiced endurance…” [James 5:11a CEB]
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