Week 50 James 5
We count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The bible is pretty solid on the idea that if I follow the Lord then things will improve and work-out for me.
But James adds this critical reminder of there being gaps as well. It’s like this. Let’s say there’s a Point-In-Time-A (where things are working out okay). Then a bit later there’s Point-In-Time-B (where things are working out okay). But in between those two points there’s a GAP. Like this:
Point-In-Time-A — GAP — Point-In-Time-B.
The GAP is the interval where lots of things can (and do) happen. And since the environment where those things happen is our material world – where dark & sinister & corrosive & awful things happen – those are the features of life in the GAP. James isn’t thinking about the upbeat times. He’s thinking about GAPS. thinking back to Job – who experienced just about the worst GAP experience in the world.
In Job’s case Point-In-Time-A was very good. But then there was the GAP where things were horrendous. Fortunately for Job Point-In-Time-B arrived and things turned around for him.
Anyway…James’ simple lesson is that Job endured the GAP. He persevered.
But it makes me wonder: what did Job do during Point-In-Time-A that conditioned him for the GAP? How did he prepare?
Note: quote from James 5:11 (NIV)