James 5: Be Patient

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. 
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. - James 5:7-8 NIV

Like most people in this modern day of microwaves, the internet, and text messaging, I am not very patient.  I operate simultaneously on several planes at warp speed.  So, I confess that I often get impatient waiting for the Lord's coming.  Doesn't he know we need him now?  Doesn't he know that things are almost at critical mass as far as evil is concerned on this earth?  Doesn't he know that we can't hold back the flood gates of debauchery and depravity for much longer before the earth is flooded with society's filth?  Doesn't he know our situation is desperate, that everything could be righted by his appearing?

Of course he knows.  It's all part of his plan, just as we are all part of his plan.  Many of us have been placed here, at this specific time, in this specific place for his plan.  We may be that finger in the hole in the dike that keeps all of the forces of evil from overwhelming the earth.  We can't lose faith, we can't lose patience.  All we have to do is stand firm.  Jesus himself, knew what we would face and addressed it in Luke 21:  “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.  For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.  Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:34-36 NIV

Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.