You also, be patient. Establish your hearts … James 5:8, ESV

 

Lying in ER, not knowing the cause of the incident I had just experienced, I felt calm, despite the high blood pressure reading the Sister on duty had just taken. As I mindfully spoke the familiar words of Psalm 23, I felt a sense of surprise, and joy, as the well-known words “came alive” in a new way and I rejoiced in the quiet presence of the Shepherd of the psalm. Presently, the sheep was satisfied, and my heart was grateful.

 

Psalm 23 had covered all the possible scenarios and eventualities with the same result – peace, trust, surrender – and now, looking back, I realise that it is our heart connection to God that truly matters, not just in a hospital setting, but wherever we may be.

 

An established heart looks to God to minister into each situation, to be our strength as we call to Him, to remind ourselves of His promises and lean into His presence; to know that “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever”. (Psalm 73:26) Having peace because God is with me enables me to be resilient, hopeful and to stand firm; so, to be established we need to spend time in His presence and time in His Word.

 

And this is why, in our verse today, James tells the early Christians, scattered outside of Jerusalem, to “establish their hearts” to be able to withstand their severe trials patiently, and with hope; to persevere throughout the persecution and hardships they are suffering, firmly rooted in God, keeping their eyes on Him. Using the example of a farmer, and recognising that he patiently waits till the last rains have watered the “precious fruit of the earth” (James 5:7) to produce an excellent crop, he encourages them to stand firm and do the same.

 

Whatever is of true value is worth waiting for, and being thoroughly prepared, as any pregnant mother knows, is vital; and it’s not our pride in the worth of our words in prayer that keeps us on our knees until He answers, as it is our trust in God’s faithfulness, in our hearts, and the knowledge that when Jesus returns, we will be ready to meet Him.

 

Are our hearts established, patient and steadfast, able to trust God’s purpose for our growth in our lives, regardless of how well or bad it seems to us at present?

 

How would you respond to James?

 

Prayer: Father God, help me to establish my heart in You and grow through Jesus Christ, the living Word, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, through prayer. Amen