When bad things happen, part 2

James 5:6-12

Cancer, job loss, untimely deaths, grumpy neighbours, persecution and evil people; there are a lot of things that we go through in this life. When bad things happen, James is giving us a word of encouragement on how to go through them. He’s already talked in chapter 1 ‘the why,’ now he is going to talk about ‘the how.’

We have seen in this section that he introduces to us a problem, and gives a solution with some examples and a promise.

Yesterday we looked at how we are to endure with patience, and the first example was with the faith of the farmer. Today we’ll look at the other two examples and the warning.

(Jas 5:10) Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. We are to have the steadfastness of the prophets. Think about with me the different characteristics of God’s men throughout the years.

We are to have the love of Moses.

We are to have the compassion of Jeremiah.

We are to have the boldness of an Ezekiel.

We are to have wonder of God as Isaiah.

We are to have the faith of Daniel.

The list goes on and on. These men of God took the hit and stood. They weren’t perfect, and they had their moments of weakness, but so do we. We, like them are to keep going on. We don’t give up.

The last example he gives is one of Job. We are to have his patience.

(Jas 5:11) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Job too had his issues, and wondered where God was. But in spite of some struggles he had, Job is given as an example to all of us.

Look at some of the fantastic verses we have that speak to Job’s faith.

(Job 1:21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

(Job 13:15) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

(Job 23:10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Lastly, let’s look at the warning that he actually puts right in the middle of the passage.

(Jas 5:9) Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

The warning is applicable for all of us. There is a temptation to ask God to crispy-fry those who are against us. We in our flesh have a tendency to delight in their judgment. We want a medal for standing with patience, but we want the persecutor to get his just desserts, with no ice cream.

James very clearly warns us against this. There is only one judge, and it’s not me.

So we overcome evil with good, allow God to take vengeance and keep our hip and thigh prayers for the devil.