Perseverance with the Brothers

James 5:7-12 ⁽⁷⁾Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁽⁸⁾You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁽⁹⁾Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! ⁽¹⁰⁾Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ⁽¹¹⁾As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (¹²⁾Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. (NIV)

           Bro. Thomas was the newly selected choir director for the church of which, he had been a member for three years. He and his family had gotten to know all the members and had been welcomed into the church with open arms. Now that he was the new choir director, he would get a chance to utilize that music degree that he earned a few months back. He was very excited to be able to direct the choir and made a request for each choir member to visit him in his office individually, so that he could listen to their voice and know where to place each person according to scale. 

        All the choir members did well and Bro. Thomas was about to see his last member for the day. In walked an elderly man who seemed to be about eighty years old. He was on a cane and had to walk slow until he got to the area by the piano to sing. Bro. Thomas offered the elderly man a seat, but the man refused the offer, so Bro. Thomas began the session. As the man tried to sing, Bro. Thomas’ face showed his surprise at the man’s vocals. The elderly man was totally off key and was unable to properly hit one note. He looked at the man as he stood with his cane and even though he knew the elderly man could not sing, he found it hard to disappoint the man by telling him that his voice was incompatible with the needs of the choir. Therefore, he didn’t. Bro. Thomas welcomed the elderly man to the choir and the man smiled with joy in his eyes that he could remain a member. His patience, despite the elderly man’s inability to sing, was more of a reward than he would ever know. 

        The Apostle James lets us know that we are to be patient with one another. We are not to complain and grumble about our sisters and brothers. As a Christian, we are to show restraint and patience just as God shows it with us. Psalm 37:7-9 ⁽⁷⁾Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. ⁽⁸⁾Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. (NIV) God is longsuffering and He is merciful to us even when we do not deserve it. This is why we are to have the same mercy and grace with others, and in so doing, we are able to show the world Christ’s example. 

            There are many times in life when our patience will be tested. A spouse, children, in-laws and even a job can push your endurance button to the max. However, God is there to give us what we need in order to overcome any obstacle. All one has to do is ask and allow God to take control.