BE COOL, MAN!

You, too, be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

This verse reminds us that the Lord’s return is happening soon.  True, it’s been 2000 years since James said that, and I tend to not think of that as “happening soon.”  I’m sure it is soon by God’s eternal viewpoint.  But, realize that we are now 2000 years closer to His return than James was. Plus, it seems clear to me that we are at the very end of our current age.  The tribulation could begin any day now.  The coming of the Lord is at hand, and as the Lord said, we are living in “Perilous Times.”  So, James tells us to do two things.  First, “be patient.”  Which means to not lose heart and to bravely endure misfortunes and troubles.  So, don’t give up.  Don’t quit.  I know our government or society, our economy and our anatomy are all falling apart. What society might do next is concerning.  What my body might do next is scary.   It is all just so unbearable. I know, I’m there, too. I banged my pinky with a hammer, and it is the worst most painfully unfair thing any human has ever gone through.  Okay, it’s not all that, but it feels like it at the time.  We need to put all our pains and problems in the right perspective and patiently endure through it all with the Lord.  Secondly, we are told to “strengthen your hearts.” The Bible I use says to “stablish” or “establish” your heart. It means to make stable, place firmly or set fast.  We need to know what we believe.  We need to seek truth and facts, setting aside questionable things and rejecting untrue things.  The Word of God is truth.  Believe the Bible and let everything else be doubtful. 

Tom Johnson