By Greg
Laurie
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
James
5:8
A number of years ago, we held a Harvest
Crusade in Colorado. When we arrived, it was around seventy degrees, and the
sun was shining. Our crusade was to begin the next evening. But as we watched
the news that night, we learned that a cold front was moving in. The next
morning there was snow on the ground. That is how quickly the weather can
change in a place like Colorado. The sun is shining, and the next thing you
know, there's a blizzard.
That is how life can be as well. Everything is looking great when, all of a sudden, a storm cloud appears. Something horrible happens. That is why the Bible tells us, "Establish your hearts" (James 5:8). Another way to translate this verse is, "Strengthen and make firm your inner life." The same word is used to describe Jesus' attitudes and actions when He headed for Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there: "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Jesus, being God, had full knowledge of all that was about to unfold, yet He resolutely set out for Jerusalem. That is the same meaning behind the word establish in James 5:8.
God wants us to be rooted and grounded, yet many Christians aren't. They have not taken the time to develop the habit of personal Bible study or the discipline of prayer or even regular church attendance. But God is saying we need to get rooted because our faith will be challenged. We will face hardship. And a storm can come, just when we're least expecting it.
That is how life can be as well. Everything is looking great when, all of a sudden, a storm cloud appears. Something horrible happens. That is why the Bible tells us, "Establish your hearts" (James 5:8). Another way to translate this verse is, "Strengthen and make firm your inner life." The same word is used to describe Jesus' attitudes and actions when He headed for Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him there: "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Jesus, being God, had full knowledge of all that was about to unfold, yet He resolutely set out for Jerusalem. That is the same meaning behind the word establish in James 5:8.
God wants us to be rooted and grounded, yet many Christians aren't. They have not taken the time to develop the habit of personal Bible study or the discipline of prayer or even regular church attendance. But God is saying we need to get rooted because our faith will be challenged. We will face hardship. And a storm can come, just when we're least expecting it.
