A FAITH THAT HANDLES DELAYS PATIENTLY
A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t

OCTOBER 11, 2020

James 5:7-11 – Be PATIENT, my friends, until the Lord
comes back. Remember how patient farmers are as they
WAIT for their valuable crops to mature and ripen. They
also WAIT PATIENTLY for the spring and fall rains to do
their work. You too must be patient! Don’t give up
because the Lord could arrive at any time! And don’t
complain – especially against each other – or God will
judge you! Remember that the real Judge is standing at
the door! Another example of patience in the face of
suffering is God’s prophets who spoke God’s truth in
hard times. Today, we honor them for their patient
endurance when they suffered unjustly. Then remember
the example of Job. Job continued to patiently trust God
while enduring great pain. But we know how God fulfilled
his purpose for Job and that his plan for Job ended in
good because the Lord always treats us with tender
compassion and merciful kindness.
WHEN IS WAITING PATIENTLY AN ACT OF FAITH?
1. WHEN circumstances are uncontrollable.
James 5:7-8 – Be PATIENT, my friends, until the Lord
comes back. Remember how patient farmers are as they
WAIT for their valuable crops to mature and ripen. They
also WAIT PATIENTLY for the spring and fall rains to do
their work. You too must be patient! Don’t give up
because the Lord could arrive at any time!
2. WHEN the truth is unpopular.
James 5:10-11a – Another example of patience in the
face of suffering is God’s prophets who spoke God’s
truth in hard times. Today, we honor them for their
patient endurance when they suffered unjustly.
James 5:9 – Don’t grumble about each other, my brothers
and sisters, or God will judge you. Remember, the great
Judge is coming. He is standing at the door!
3. WHEN pain is unbearable and unexplainable.
James 5:11 – Then remember the example of Job. Job
continued to patiently trust God while enduring great
pain. But we know how God fulfilled his purpose for Job
and that his plan for Job ended in good because the Lord
always treats us with tender compassion and merciful
kindness.

WHAT SHOULD I REMEMBER WHILE I’M WAITING?
1. REMEMBER God is in control!
James 5:7 – Be patient, my friends, until the Lord comes
back.
James 5:8 – Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's
coming is near.
James 5:9 – Don’t complain…the Judge is ready to come!
2. REMEMBER God rewards patience.
James 5:11 – We consider BLESSED those who have
persevered.
Galatians 6:9 – Let us not get tired of doing what is right,
for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing IF we
don't get discouraged and give up.
3. REMEMBER This is not the end of the story!
James 5:11b – We know how God fulfilled his purpose for
Job and that his plan for Job ended in good because the
Lord always treats us with tender compassion and
merciful kindness.
Jeremiah 29:11 – I know what I am planning for you’ says
the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt
you. I’ll give you hope and a good future!
HOW DO I TRUST GOD DURING A DELAY?
1. LIKE FARMERS, wait expectantly!
Psalm 130:5 – I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for
He has promised.
Isaiah 49:23 – No one who waits for my help will be
disappointed.
2. LIKE THE PROPHETS, wait without complaining!
Lamentations 3:26 – It is good to wait quietly for the
salvation of the Lord.
3. LIKE JOB, wait confidently!
Job 14:14 – If a man dies, can he come back to life? I will
wait for better times; I will wait till this time of trouble is
ended.
Isaiah 40:31 – Those who wait on the Lord will find new
strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will
run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint!
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord isn’t being slow in keeping his
promise to return. Instead, he’s waiting on you, being
patient with you, because he doesn’t want anyone to be
lost and perish. Instead he is giving you time to change
your heart and turn to him!