Hold on Tight
Scripture Reading — James 5:10-12
You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
James 5:11
Many of us have heard of “the patience of Job,” but already in James’s day, Job’s patience (perseverance) was legendary.
Job faced catastrophic losses, including his health and his family. But Job persevered and continued to place his trust in God. “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” was Job’s remarkable testimony (Job 13:15) and, in the end Job was richly rewarded by God (see Job 42).
Job’s experience teaches us that patient endurance helps us to hold on tightly to our faith, even in the midst of tremendous difficulty and suffering. To be patient is to stand tall in the Lord Jesus Christ, even in a gale force wind of crises and troubles. That’s why John, when he was describing some of the trials that will come upon the church, told his readers, “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people” (Revelation 13:10).
William Shakespeare said, “Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod” (Henry V, II, i). It’s the virtue of “plodding patience” that often helps us “keep on keeping on.”
Hebrews 12:1 instructs us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Christlike patience empowers us to keep on going, even when the going is hard and slow, even when the path ahead leads to a cross.
Lord, the world is full of pressures and difficulties. Continue to grow in us a patience that empowers us to be “more than conquerors through him” who loves us. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Shawn Brix
Rev. Shawn Brix has served as pastor in several Ontario churches. He and his wife, Jenny, have three children.
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