See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
James 5:7
With the onslaught of Hurricane Harvey that slammed into the Gulf of Mexico last week, bringing a deluge of devastating floodwaters to the folks in Houston (aka my home town), thoughts of water and rain have infiltrated my brain. Media abounds with images of rescue workers and victims sloshing through waist-high water, skimming flooded interstates in speed boats, wearing rain jackets and head coverings.
But let’s change the setting to, say, a barren, drought-stricken wasteland. And suppose I came upon some crazy in a rain coat, holding an oversized umbrella over his head, who glanced up periodically to a sunny, cloudless sky and wore a confident smile, cupping his hand to catch the first drop.
I’d be inclined to suggest he call a counselor. “Uh, sir…?”
Unless the guy had it right.
What if he was waiting with the faith of the farmer?
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
James 5:7
Two things about this verse.
First, it’s an imperative, not an interrogative sentence…meaning, God isn’t asking me anything; He’s telling me to do something. In this case, to observe the farmer and wait patiently as he did.
Second, it suggests how the farmer waited for the land to yield. Nothing in the verse evokes the image of a guy/girl who frets and stomps his/her feet, doubtful anything will come of his effort.
The farmer knows the land will yield.
The farmer knows the rains will come.
The farmer knows the Farmer and trusts the Farmer’s timing.
Thus, the farmer waits well.
[bctt tweet=”There are those who wait and there are those who wait.” username=”MaryAFelkins”] The difference is unmistakable. One might be a fist-punching, angry, and irritable cuss while the other waits patiently, with full assurance of faith. Mind you, the farmer isn’t idle while he waits. The guy is working the land, trusting, not in his ability, the soil, the seeds, or the rain, but in God to do the yielding.
Oh, may God to find me waiting like the farmer, assured of His provision, yielded at the perfect time. Even one second too soon could cause me to miss God’s very best.
May I be that crazy wearing a heavy rain jacket and holding a large umbrella in the sun-baked wilderness, though doom sayers rise up and mock….
“Give it up.” (Nope)
“It’s too late.” (I don’t believe it is)
“It’ll never happen.” (It could and it might)
“Pfft! That’s impossible.” (I rather think God likes to debunk that lie with the holy retort, “Watch Me”)
You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. James 5:11b
As I wait like the farmer, God is growing in me an even stronger faith, nourishing the seed of His immutable Word planted long ago. So when I’m in this place where it appears there’s zero-movement, zero-growth, fruitless effort in a barren, pathless wilderness, the waiting is meant to keep me…and fellow farmers…in tip-top spiritual shape.
Let me say I believe God will supply all my need and then let me run dry with no outlook and see whether I will go through the trial of faith or sink back to something lower. Oswald Chambers
Rain clouds or not, the land will yield and the rains will come. Until then, I’m to wait like the farmer. And should a reformed doom sayer seek shelter beneath my umbrella, I’m more than happy to make room.
Any other farmers out there? If so, please share your thoughts on waiting. Just don’t keep me waiting 🙂