DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:7-8)

My brother-in-law was a farmer. He raised grass seed, such as is used on golf courses. He had to be a patient man who waited until the seed was ripe before he harvested it. I probably would not make a good farmer, because I am impatient and would want to send out the combines before the seed was ready. Even today, I have a difficult time waiting for a cantaloupe to ripen properly before I cut into it for my fruit salad.

James says that, in light of the coming of the Lord, we need to be patient and make sure that our hearts are established – strong and firm in the faith. As we wait for His return, it would be easy to let our faith become unsettled and become lax in my devotion to Christ.

Something that is established is set fast and firm. When we consider an enterprise to do business with, we look for one that has been in business for a long time. A firm that was established in, say, 1950, shows that it is not going to go out of business soon. We have confidence in stores or businesses that have been around for a while because they would not stay in business if they did not do good work.

May our hearts be established – firm and settled – in our faith in the Lord Jesus and in His Word. He is dependable. He will do what He says He will do. He has promised to come again, and He will do it. We can trust Him and our faith can be secure. We just need to be patient. I purpose for my heart to be established the in the Lord Jesus.

Love, Dad