Nina Smit

Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

~ James 5:7-8

Christians expected Jesus’ second coming shortly after His ascension. They thought He would come to fetch His children in a couple of years. But the years passed and He didn’t come. This made the Christians despondent, especially because they were being cruelly persecuted at the time. In his letter, James cautions them to wait patiently for the Lord to come, just as a farmer waits for the harvest. The crops must be gathered at exactly the right time; likewise, Jesus’ second coming will take place at exactly the right time.

My mother was very ill during the last years of her life. She repeatedly asked me why the Lord didn’t come and fetch her. Although she couldn’t see or hear very well, it was good to have her with us, because we knew she was constantly busy praying for us. The older people get, the more they look forward to Jesus’ return. It does, however, not help at all to try and hurry up the time of the Second Coming; the secret is to wait for it. Just make sure that you will be ready if God should fetch you today.

Lord Jesus, teach me to wait for Your second coming the right way; by filling my life with the things that have eternal value. Amen