Articles
Patience Like a Farmer
Patience is a quality the Bible requires us to develop. Patience or longsuffering is listed as one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Patience is sometimes similar to the qualities of endurance (Hebrews 10:36) and perseverance (2 Peter 1:5-7) which are qualities we must also posses as children of God. The book of James begins by reminding us patience is developed through trials. James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (NKJV). Patience is able to continue doing the right thing even under trying circumstances and does not give us (James 1:12). The end of the book of James speaks about patience as well. James 5:7-11 says, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who ensure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (NKJV). The Old Testament provides us great examples of the type of patience we must possess to be pleasing to God in the examples of Job and the prophets. An example is also taken from everyday life to demonstrate the type of patience we need to have as children of God. Let us think about having patience like a farmer.
Farming since sin has entered the world is hard work (Genesis 3:17-19). 2 Timothy 2:6 reminds us of this fact when it says, “the hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops” (NKJV). Farmers put in a lot of work before they ever get any sort of reward for their efforts. Farmers have to prepare the soil, plant the seed, water the seeds, tend to the plants as they are growing, etc. all before they ever get to enjoy partaking of the crops they are growing. Christians work hard and diligently before they receive their heavenly reward (Hebrews 4:11; 2 Peter 1:10-11; Revelation 14:13). Are we willing to expend our energies and put forth the effort required to receive a heavenly reward?
A farmer diligently labors and yet sometimes it may seem like nothing is happening. Sometimes it is easy for Christians to look at their life and it seems like nothing really is happening or perhaps not much progress is being made. Maybe an individual is spending time studying his Bible daily but does not see any noticeable progress in his understanding. Spiritual growth is sometimes occurring in small steps which are sometimes hard for the person to see at the moment. What we need to continue doing is putting forth the effort it takes to study and grow and be patient to see the results (Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Peter 2:2). Maybe a Christian wants to teach the lost and is talking to people but it feels like no progress is being made. Remember Jesus compares the kingdom of God to seed being sown and a plant growing (Mark 4:26-29). Instead of becoming discouraged and giving up, one needs to continue planting and watering the seed so a harvest can develop (Luke 8:11-15; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9). What would happen if a farmer planted his seed, watered the seed for a day, and the next day went out and didn’t see anything growing so he stopped working in the field? He wouldn’t likely produce a very good crop! Maybe we sometimes do the same thing in spiritual areas because we are not patient like a farmer. Maybe a Christian is working with training his children (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:15) and it seems they are not getting anything he is trying to teach them. Do we give up because we do not see the results we want today or do we keep on patiently doing the work God has given us to do as parents training our children (Proverbs 22:6)?
A farmer can work on his crop and yet something arise which causes him not to have a harvest. Spiritually speaking, if we sow to the Spirit and do not become weary, we are guaranteed to reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7-9). When we look at the effort we are putting into serving God and think it is not accomplishing anything, we need to remind ourselves of 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (NKJV). Let’s learn to be patient as the farmer!
