As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. (James 5:10-11)
If you are going through a hard time, who is someone you want by your side? What are some attributes that make them a helpful presence in a hard time? The person most important to have around in a hard time is someone who is compassionate and caring.
In this passage, James pointed to the prophets who struggled to communicate God’s Word to people who usually did not receive it. They worked hard, wept, and struggled, never really seeing the results of their labor. Job was a man who lost everything and wrestled with God over it, but ultimately he remained faithful and saw God provide even more than he previously had. In both of these examples James gave, people struggled deeply and they endured faithfully walking with God. Their experience wasn’t motivated by clear results but by God who was compassionate and merciful with them through the trials. Whatever struggles you find yourself with today, whether it has been a long haul that you feel exhausted from or smaller issues, the answer is the same: Walk faithfully with God and endure with Him through the hard moments. We can be sure that He is full of compassion and mercy for us.
- What are the things you are currently struggling with? How have you struggled with patience in this time?
- How has walking with God through a hard time shaped your life? What were the ways you turned to Him when you were struggling?
- Pray for someone you know who is struggling—ask God to be present with them and show them His compassion and mercy.
