James 5:7. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and later rain.”
PRECIOUS FRUIT. Be patient in trials: some come unseen, unexpected and unwanted – but they come. Others marching openly, blatantly, challenging, demanding – trials in warfare. Silently, unbidden, unknowing – without fanfare – they are here before we know it – Trials come darkly from the least expected sources – trials in the darkest night. With pain and anxiety; with doubts and fears; with tears and hopelessness – Emotions rise and we wonder how much more can we take – We wait for the precious fruit that can only be harvested here on earth.
The seed has been sown: fields once fallow have been plowed and cultivated. The sweat of honest toil and hard work dampens the ground where precious fruit grows. The footsteps of the husbandman mark the fields where he has labored long. He sows when the time is right, and waits, and waits for the early and later rain. He lifts his eyes to the sky and waits for the Light of the Sun to stir new life. The laborer and the Source of life each do what needs to be done, and doubtless – The long waited for precious fruit is harvested here on the earth.
The heart is burdened and the knees are bent in earnest prayer for those around. Names are mentioned as the intercessor goes again and again to the throne of grace, Awareness of the lateness of the hour presses hard upon the mind of the bowed head, Assurance of the coming of the Lord brings the mixed emotions of hope and fear. Those thoughts purify and intensify the prayers, and urgency is mixed with faith. “Even so come Lord Jesus,” and “Wait a little longer, please Jesus” – combine – And the precious fruit of the intercessor is harvested here on earth.
The saints who suffer the loss of all things, and wonder why, but keep on trusting; The African believers who think that times of tribulation are upon them already; Those who watch their loved ones who they love more than life – turn away – The age`d lovers who have lived many decades for the Lord – together in service; Watch age take its’ toll on the mind and body that is more precious than my own; And a heavenly Father watches over each one allowing only what can be taken – And accepts the precious fruit of the sufferer here on the earth.
In spite of the challenges of the trials caused by continual warfare against the godly; In spite of the emotional pain of trial caused by the uncertainty of the dark night of sin; In spite of the on-going labor and toil in the great husbandry of the Lord; In spite of the burdens of those who labor fervently in prayer for others; In spite of the sufferings of life that we do not have an answer as to why they come: We will trust the Lord our God who knows the needs of the farmer, judge and prophet – And gives without measure the precious fruit of the earth.
“Father, I am thankful that Thou art not limited to what I think is precious fruit of the earth. Keep me from passing judgments upon the labors and lives of others. What may to my dim view be wasted trash, may be to Thee “precious fruit of the earth” that brings glory to Thee. Amen.”