James 5:1–12  ¹ Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. ² Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. ⁴ Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. ⁵ You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. ⁷ Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ¹² Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

The first six verses of James 5 are a harsh warning to wealthy people who do not treat others fairly. These words are speaking of those who do not believe in Jesus, because they are warned of the “misery that is coming” to them “in the day of slaughter,” a reference to what we often call judgment day. The rich oppressors are not promised God’s compassion and mercy unless they repent of their evil ways and put their trust in Jesus.

In the next six verses, believers who are being oppressed by the ones described in the first six verses are encouraged to be patient. It is not so much “just wait and those evil folks will get what is coming to them” as it is a reminder that those who trust in Jesus will get what they do not deserve: compassion, mercy, forgiveness and salvation. These are ours because of what Jesus did through his birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection, and what He gives freely to those who trust in Him. James cites the example of Job, who suffered greatly but was blessed even more than he suffered in the end. That is a picture of how greatly believers will be blessed by God when He returns to take the faithful to Himself.

I know someone who is suffering at the hands of his boss right now. He is being treated unfairly and is struggling with what he can and should do as a follower of Jesus. Should he pray for his boss to be removed from her position? Should he seek other employment? He wants his faith to guide his actions, but is having a hard time discerning what he should do.

That is often the lot of Christians here on earth. And that is why we are told to be patient in suffering.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 1:6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Lord, remind us when we suffer that you are in control, and that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Give us strength to endure our sufferings and remind us of your certain promises.

1 Corinthians 2:9–10a “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— ¹⁰ but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.