There are two readings for today.

SCRIPTURE: James 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. [James 5:7-8]
James starts by warning the oppressive rich that their day is coming, and to repent.
He then encourages the oppressed that their day is coming too and, to stand firm!
When you are oppressed, when you are sick, when you are troubled by sin – go to God!
I do not get bogged down in the technicalities of praying with oil, that is only a symbol.
The substance behind the symbol is turning to the Lord, trusting in Him, praying and standing firm no matter the struggle – and He will help us in the end.

Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life. [Luke 21:17-19]
Jesus warns His disciples that troubled times will come, but He also urges them to patiently stand firm as well.
They can be so confident in the Lord’s plan that not even a hair of their head will perish.
This is hyperbole, an extreme statement to make a point: nothing, no matter how small or insignificant, happens outside of God’s purpose.
Be patient, stand firm, and you will win life, you will be healed, you will overcome.

Of course we know that there is always a timing issue.
Is the help immediate, over time, or not until the next life?
Is the healing immediate, over time or not until the next life?
Obviously here James is encouraging them to be patient because it is not immediate.
This is also true for some people with healing – sometimes it is not immediate, and for some it is not until the next life where they are fully restored and renewed.
But no matter how God’s purpose unfolds, it is always what He had in mind.
For not a hair of your head will perish outside of His good purpose.

Each person has to deal with their own struggle and burden; mine if not yours and yours is not mine.
Our struggles may be different, but our responses ought to be the same: trust God, praise Him for the blessings and pray to Him for the hardships.
Stand firm, and you will win life!
This is what Job discovered, and Elijah too.
This is what Jesus discovered, and His disciples too.
This is what believers have discovered through the ages, and you will too!

PRAYER:
Lord, there is no detail of my life outside of Your purpose. I may not like what You’ve put in my life, but I choose to trust You and to patiently stand firm until I win life too!