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7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 12 Above all, my beloved, do not sweat, either by heaven or earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your ”No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

 

Patience is a virtue. That is a saying often heard when we are waiting for something important. It is very hard to wait, especially if it is a long-awaited loved one coming for a visit, the results of a medical test, the arrival of a baby or any other big or small events in our lives. In addition to being patient, we are also told to be strong in heart. So, we have to be patient while we are on pins and needles of excitement and we also have to strengthen our hearts not to be discouraged. That is a pretty tall order. How do we learn to learn to wait patiently? We become very decisive, knowing when to stand by our decisions of a firm yes and a firm no in the appropriate situations.

 

The term “beloved” appears four times in this reading. God loves us and we are given proof of this love throughout the centuries. Like the farmer who is patient and diligent in patience and pours his/her heart into their work to grow a crop, we also must be patient and diligent ins our earthly work and service to God. Even though a farmer may not have a good yield every year, usually over time, the yield will increase and sustain a standard of living. So, it is with working in the vineyard of the Lord. We may not see that harvest each year, however, in the long run, we are running the race with the Lord. We are trying our best each day to live with Jesus by our side and doing our daily duty to serve the Lord.

 

In a recent pastor’s forum, we saw films describing the great suffering by the early Christians. James, Peter, Paul along with the other apostles, and followers, died for their faith with under gruesome circumstances. How strong is our faith that we would endure such torture and death for our belief in Christ? Our lives are a walk in the park compared to theirs. We are fortunate to live where we are free to worship or not worship as we wish. Is it so much to ask of ourselves to be patient and dutiful to God, who loves us so much that He gave us his son? We are the Beloved, we are to be patient, we are to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. We will try our best and Jesus will walk with journey with us.

 

Let us pray-Dear Lord, We ask for great patience in our trials, great strength in our belief in you, and the perseverance to complete our lives in your watchful care. Amen.

 

Cindy Dougherty

beachspch@aol.com

 

Alternative readings-1 Samuel 25:23-35, Psalm 55

 

Prayer concern - Pray for those who may be discouraged, fearful and uneasy with their lives. Give them encouragement, and care by a text, phone call, card, or visit.