The Farmer Waits with Long Patience for God’s Increase
James 5:7
The farmer can not make the seed germinate or bring the rain of increase. He can only ask God to bless the seed sown and wait on him to do so. Ezekiel was commanded to preach and to pray, nothing else. James says "Above all" do not turn from truth to excess and he follows it with exhortation to pray (James 5:13-15). James 5: 13 describes the believer: we are either afflicted or merry. In both cases, we either pray unto the Lord or sing unto the Lord. James 5: 14-15 speaks of sickness. What kind of sickness is this from which the Lord will raise up and from whence forgiveness of sins is needed? It could be the kind of sickness and affliction James has been speaking of from the beginning: the unbridling of the tongue, losing patience, and grieving one another. It seems to have something to do with that because he immediately says “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16). Nothing adds to real sin-sickness, like a haughty spirit and a condemning tongue. But instead of the elder coming with that spirit, pray God bless the gospel seed sown in peace. Oh, to have a brother or sister who knows the same sin, who can confess it by sharing a sympathizing tear and pray for God to heal you, rather than rail on you. This is that "fruit of righteousness sown in peace of them that make peace." Man-made pesticides make us the pests when it comes to God's husbandry, only the pure Word, the pure Water will do. Long patience is needed like the farmer. Only God gives the increase.
Come back tomorrow for the next article in this series.