A Look at the Book #457

A Look at the Book #457

by Jesse Abel

Daily Devotional – A Look at the Book #457

A Thought for today by Papa “J”

The LORD has lifted His saints out of an evil system by the Atoning work of His Son Jesus. We were stripped of darkness given Light. He clothed us in His armor of Righteousness and gave us boldness in the Spirit. Attention! Soldier; you are a force that shall not be defeated! 1 John 5:1-5

A DAY IN THE PAST, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE

One of the destroyers that I served on was the USS Forrest Sherman DD-931. At the present time the Navy would like to sell it for scrape, but there is an Association that is seeking to preserve the ship and make it a monument in Indian River, New Jersey. The Sherman is a strong replica of the gunships of our Navy ranking third in the hierarchy of surface ships; Battleships, Battle Cruisers and then Destroyers. She was the first of her class and sported this slogan: “The first and the finest” and being that everything is relative the ship was not the first destroyer, nor was she the finest one either, but of her class she did excel. The ship did see action throughout its twenty seven year history, but it was mostly used as the pride of the Navy and a “showboat” to many countries. It was a rough and stormy week as we headed for some foreign port. We were going to be part of a ceremony of awarding a fire truck to some city in need. The captain ordered the ship to be painted topside; this was an impossible moment for us deckhands. How do will we paint in the rain? Yet, with a brush in one hand and a rag for removing water before the next brush stroke we did as the captain ordered. No pictures were taken of the ship in port at the pier side ceremony, since the ship looked a little like it was in anaphylactic shock.

James 5

James 5:7 – Saints are not called to be patient, we are commanded to be patient, but I am learning that patience needs an object just as faith does. The believers’ faith is focused on the Person who is the Author of Faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 our patience is to be focused on the Coming Day of the LORD, or as we commonly refer to this day as His Second Advent. Having done a little gardening in my day I see the parallel that James is making in that the harvest is just as important as the planting of the seed. Jesus was buried; but He is Risen; He is the fristfruits 1 Corinthians 15:20-28… get the picture?

James 5:8 – In these critical days of our life it is crucial that we do not lose sight of this object of patience. Many religious efforts seek to keep people busy with works of ministry that have no lasting effect or blessing. Certainly we must do good biblical works, but it is first and foremost to be encouraged in faith and patience. This is the established criteria for a solid heart as the day of the LORD draws near. And what good is any ministry or work if it is not founded on faith and backed by enduring hope? Notice please – 2 Timothy 2:14-26.

James 5:9 – One of the quickest ways for me to fail in patience is to take my eyes off of Jesus Christ. We easily groan and grumble at the people around us. Now I don’t mean that we are verbally abusive; we often put on our holy face, we nod, and we look pious. We like to make each other think that we have their best interest in front of our own. Philippians 2:3 really puts this in perspective.

What does James say here? The coming day of the LORD is God putting things in order for the coming Millennial Reign of the Christ… “Behold the Judge is standing at the door!” But of course you knew that even as your thoughts were backbiting your brother or sister whom Christ rescued from the evil system.