God is in Control

Article for September 29,2024

James 5:7–8 7Be 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. 8You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

The coming of the Lord.  Is it just a phrase, or is it a hope of putting fear into your heart?  The latter would seem more prudent as we, like all people, ignore the truth day in and day out.  Each day the time of the Lord’s coming is a day closer.  This event will come to light the way for all believers. 

The Lord is coming, and we need to get ready for that day as though it be today.  Be patient but also be diligent.  Going on with what has become our normal might need some tuning.  The middle of the night is upon us, the thief comes in not knocking at the door.

Then there is faith as some of us wonder if the coming of the Lord will ever get here.  Yes, the day is coming, and yes, it could very well happen in our lifetime.  As the farmer must wait to see his hard work bear fruit, we must be patient for the fruit of our Lord as He comes to take us to be where He is also. 

James 5:9–10 9Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

We waste a lot of energy grumbling; I know I do every day.  We grumble about each other, we grumble about our country, we grumble about things that just don’t seem to go the way we expected.  We grumble because we judge, and we suffer more than those whom we grumble against.

Anita reminds me that my grumbling cannot be heard by those on TV.  But there I am grumbling as someone says things I know are not true.  I just grumble and increase my anxiety, my blood pressure goes up, and my feeling of helplessness grows out of proportion.

I need to memorize the serenity prayer’s meaning, not just the words.  My problem is my anger stems from those things I can’t do something to change.  I want the power to change those things I want changed.  Still, I must fall back on faith in God as scripture says and Anita reminds me, God is in control.

James 5:11 11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

When we truly realize that God is in control, all becomes easier to be steadfast in our faith in God.  This is where faith should be, in God.  We know God has made Himself to be a great God as He is a God of good, righteousness, a God of mercy, a God of grace.  We have a God who loves us so much that He assured our knowledge of His forgiveness through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are going through trials and tribulations and to some it may seem like they are increasing.  We will have bad days, bad politics, bad health, and bad advice, but we need to remember, I know, God is in control.  Have faith, remain steadfast because soon God will bring all His glory to its full fruitfulness for all believers.

James 5:12 12But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

So, “in light” of the coming of our Lord let us help one another through honest efforts.  We need not make oaths or promises that we cannot keep, but always do our best to help one another.  And if someone fails in their try to help, be kind, forgive, and appreciate their efforts.

Our honesty should come from our faith in God as He truly is honest to us each day.  What God says He does, and God is the only one who keeps His covenants with us.  God is the only one who can make a true promise that will be kept.  Our yes should be an honest yes, and our no, an honest no.  Our yes should be a firm yes, and our no should be a firm no.

James 5:13–14 13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

In times of worry, rather than grumbling, let us come together and pray.  This is the community of the church, the community of saints, where we come together and pray for one another.  It is time to come to each other’s aid in action and in the action of prayer.  This too is faith in God. 

We who pray often see God’s hand coming down with its healing power.  The baby Maizy who has had one bout after another of cancer and going through ten surgeries across our country, whom many counted as lost, is cancer free.  Tell me prayer does not work and I will tell you it does, and I have seen prayer work thousands and thousands of times.

James 5:15–16 15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Jesus prayed to His Father for our sake many times.  But the most endearing prayer, Jesus spoke from the cross as He endured the nails in His hands and the nails in His feet.  Jesus prayed to the Father to forgive us for we know not what we do.  Our faith comes from these words that the Son of God prayed to save us to eternal life.  God loves us to life, Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May

James 5:19–20 19My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Do it with the heart, not with the mouth.  Amen.