The Waiting Game: Trusting God's Timing | James 5:7-8

01/28/25 • 4 min

We’re wrapping up the book of James—what a journey it’s been! Grab the Ecclesiastes Journal now if you’re looking for your next study.

Waiting has become an almost foreign concept in a world that moves at breakneck speed. We live in a culture where everything is at our fingertips—instant downloads, quick responses, and fast food. The world is built on efficiency and speed. We don’t have time to wait, right? But what if waiting is exactly what we need?

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is James 5:7-8.

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

In this text, James uses the imagery of a farmer to illustrate the kind of patience we should embody as we await the return of the Lord. The farmer, we’re told, waits for the "precious fruit" of the earth, patiently trusting in the process, knowing that the early and late rains are required for growth. The farmer cannot rush the seasons; he has to trust in the rhythms of nature, which, though slow, are steadfast.

What if we, as believers, adopted the farmer's mindset instead of trying to manufacture and hurry God's work in our lives? You know you do this. So do I. We want answers and results now, but the truth is that God controls heavenly elements that we don't control, and thus, he has his timing. Patience is key, not just in waiting for the return of the Lord, but in waiting for the growth and maturity that the Lord wants to produce in our lives.

So, we learn from James that patience isn't just about waiting but also establishing our faith in God's timing. We must be willing to wait with faith, knowing God works in the unseen, preparing us for something far more valuable than instant results.

Waiting is good for you. But waiting isn't passive; it is active in faith. It eagerly anticipates eventual results.

Are you looking for a job? Waiting is good for you, but it's active faith—trusting God’s timing for the right opportunity.
Need healing in a relationship? Waiting isn’t passive; it’s active faith, believing restoration takes time but is worth it.
Want spiritual growth? Waiting is good for you, pressing into God’s word, anticipating growth in His perfect timing.
Facing a personal challenge? Waiting is good for you; relying on God’s strength and knowing the struggle builds resilience.

If you are frustrated by waiting today, return to the farmer. Trust in God's perfect timing and sovereignty. Be patient and establish your heart in His promises, knowing that the fruit will come, even if it takes time.

#PatienceInFaith, #TrustGodsTiming, #WaitingWithPurpose

ASK THIS:

In what areas of your life are you struggling to wait on God?
How can you actively trust God’s timing in your current situation?
What can you do today to strengthen your patience in waiting?
How does the farmer’s patience challenge your understanding of spiritual growth?

DO THIS:

Reflect on an area where you’re waiting for God's intervention. Choose to trust His timing rather than rush ahead.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me embrace patience and trust that You are working behind the scenes. Strengthen my faith to wait actively, knowing that Your timing is always perfect. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

While I Wait.

We’re wrapping up the book of James—what a journey it’s been! Grab the Ecclesiastes Journal now if you’re looking for your next study.

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is James 5:7-8.

Waiting is good for you. But waiting isn't passive; it is active in faith. It eagerly anticipates eventual results.

Are you looking for a job? Waiting is good for you, but it's active faith—trusting God’s timing for the right opportunity.
Need healing in a relationship? Waiting isn’t passive; it’s active faith, believing restoration takes time but is worth it.
Want spiritual growth? Waiting is good for you, pressing into God’s word, anticipating growth in His perfect timing.
Facing a personal challenge? Waiting is good for you; relying on God’s strength and knowing the struggle builds resilience.

#PatienceInFaith, #TrustGodsTiming, #WaitingWithPurpose

ASK THIS:

In what areas of your life are you struggling to wait on God?
How can you actively trust God’s timing in your current situation?
What can you do today to strengthen your patience in waiting?
How does the farmer’s patience challenge your understanding of spiritual growth?

DO THIS:

Reflect on an area where you’re waiting for God's intervention. Choose to trust His timing rather than rush ahead.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me embrace patience and trust that You are working behind the scenes. Strengthen my faith to wait actively, knowing that Your timing is always perfect. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

While I Wait.

Previous Episode

Fattened for Slaughter: The Danger of Ignoring Justice | James 5:4-6

We’re wrapping up the book of James—what a journey it’s been! If you’re looking for your next study, grab the Ecclesiastes Journal now.

Imagine your paycheck calling you out, your investment account filing a complaint, or your success story turning against you. That’s the powerful image James paints—a scene where the rewards of our labor, when handled unjustly, become witnesses against us in God’s courtroom. Their testimony isn’t just about the money but the motives behind it. They cry out, “Fraud!” “Cheat!”—their voices so loud and clear that they echo all the way to the throne of heaven.

Welcome to the Daily. Our text today is James 5:4-6.

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. — James 5:4-6

James boldly calls out the wealthy oppressors who exploit workers to fund their lives of luxury. His language pulls no punches: “crying out,” “kept back,” “fattened,” “condemned,” and “murdered.”

The imagery here is vivid. The phrase “crying out” recalls Abel’s blood crying from the ground (Genesis 4:10) and the groaning of the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 2:23). The word “fattened” likens these oppressors to animals unwittingly being prepared for slaughter—judgment is coming.

Here’s the point: God values justice—especially economic justice. He isn’t against wealth itself. Scripture is full of wealthy people—Abraham, Job, David, Solomon—who honored God with their resources. But when wealth is gained at the expense of others, it leads to oppression, and God will hold us accountable.

So what does this mean for us?

God cares deeply about how we treat others. He cares about how you’re compensated at work and how you compensate others if you’re in a position of influence. But more than that, this is a call to examine our stewardship. Are you using what God has entrusted to you to bless others, or are you fattening your heart for a day of reckoning?

Again, wealth isn’t the issue—it’s about justice, generosity, and integrity. Let’s use our resources to reflect God’s character and expand His kingdom.

Examine your heart today. Are there cries around you that you’ve ignored? Are you stewarding well? One day, we’ll stand before the Lord of hosts. I want to stand there with clean hands, a pure heart, and a life fully spent for Him.

#EconomicJustice, #BiblicalStewardship, #James5Study

ASK THIS:

How do you ensure your wealth and resources reflect God’s character?
What does justice in your workplace or home look like?
Are there cries of injustice around you that you’ve ignored?
How can you use your resources to expand God’s kingdom this week?

DO THIS:

Examine your finances today—ensure you are stewarding them with justice, generosity, and integrity.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, search my heart and motives today. Help me to steward what You’ve entrusted to me with justice, integrity, and generosity. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Generous Giver.

Next Episode

Steadfast Through Struggles: Are You? | James 5:9-11

We’re wrapping up the book of James—what a journey it’s been! Grab the Ecclesiastes Journal now if you’re looking for your next study.

In life’s storms, it’s easy to want to give up. But what if the secret to overcoming isn’t avoiding hardship but learning to stand firm through it? And it isn’t just about holding on—it’s about becoming something greater through the hardship.

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is James 5:9-11.

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, 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. — James 5:9-11

James offers a profound perspective on suffering and patience in this text. He starts with a reminder not to grumble against each other, especially in times of hardship, because our actions can have lasting consequences. James then warns that the ultimate Judge is standing at the door, emphasizing the reality of God's judgment and role in our lives. Finally, James shifts to encouraging our steadfastness, pointing to the Old Testament prophets and Job as examples of suffering with patience. The prophets were relentless in their commitment to God despite immense suffering, and Job, though he lost everything, never lost his faith in God’s purpose. James concludes by reminding us that God's purpose is always rooted in compassion and mercy.

God never wastes our suffering. The key is not just to endure but to allow the hardship to shape, sculpt, and sharpen us into stronger believers who trust God’s ultimate compassion and mercy. We are called to remain steadfast, just as Job did, trusting that God is working during our struggles.

Next time you find yourself in a trial, which could be today, ask yourself: How can this hardship refine my character? How can I grow in patience and trust in God’s mercy? Be steadfast. Believe that even in the storm, God transforms you into something stronger.

In every storm, God shapes, sculpts, and sharpens you. Stand firm. Be steadfast.

#PatienceInTrials, #SteadfastFaith, #GodsMercy

ASK THIS:

How does God use suffering to shape your character?
What does steadfastness in faith look like during hardship?
How can you trust God’s mercy in the midst of your struggles?
In what areas of life do you need to grow in patience?

DO THIS:

Next time you face a trial, stop and reflect on how God might be using this hardship to refine and strengthen your faith.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to remain steadfast in the face of trials, trusting in Your compassion and mercy. May every storm refine me into the person You’ve called me to be. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Steadfast.