Daily Bible Verse - James 5:11 - The Lord is full of compassion and mercy ...

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.

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

James 5:11

Commentary
Remembering the Lord's character is a great comfort in suffering. The Scriptures repeatedly affirm His compassion and mercy (Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; 1 Chr. 21:13; 2 Chr. 30:9; Pss. 25:6; 78:38; 86:5,15; 103:8,13; 116:5; 136:1; 145:8; Lam. 3:22; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2; Mic. 7:18; Luke 6:36).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 5:11). Nashville: Word Pub.

Job

Job is the classic example of a man who patiently endured suffering and was blessed by God for his persevering faith. James reassured his readers that God had a purpose for their suffering, just as He did for Job's. Cf. Job 42.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 5:11). Nashville: Word Pub.

Job's story reminds us that God has multiplied blessings in store for us. We may not find these blessings in this life, as Job did, but they are there for us. They are reserved in heaven, awaiting only the coming of our Lord (James 5:7-11).

Richards, L. (1999). Every man in the Bible (66). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - James 5:7-8 - be patient and stand firm ...

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.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

James 5:7-8

Commentary

James urges believers to maintain an attitude of patience while suffering injustices. Though every effort should be made to improve conditions and achieve justice, believers must keep a spirit of patient endurance, even in the midst of cruel treatment. At Christ's coming, wrongs will be righted and believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness to Christ (Prov. 14:14; Matt. 5:12).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jas 5:7). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Early and Late Rains

The "early" rain falls in Israel during October and November and softens the ground for planting. The "latter" rain falls in March and April, immediately before the spring harvest. Just as the farmer waits patiently from the early rain to the latter for his crop to ripen, so must Christians patiently wait for the Lord's return (cf. Gal. 6:9; 2 Tim. 4:8; Titus 2:13).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 5:7). Nashville: Word Pub.