one step: James 5.5

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 5:13

There is a measure of difficulty in life that presses us to pray. We pray when we don’t know what to do, or when we are concerned or fearful about a situation or a loved one or finances. We pray when we don’t know how we are going to pay bills. We pray when we are in conflict with others. In the case of the Church in the time of James, we can add persecution to this list as well.* James tells us to pray when suffering comes. When we pray, what is it that we are doing?

The Greek word for “pray” used in verse 13 tells is two things: 1) it’s the most general term for prayer used in the Greek; it means simply, “talking to God,” and 2) its tense implies a continuous “all the time” instruction.*

When life is tough and feels like suffering, we are to talk to God about it and keep talking to Him about it. The lingering, lengthy affect of trials sometimes make an ongoing conversation with God come naturally, but there is an additional invitation in this command to pray. The invitation, aligning to the rest of the letter of James, is to persevere - praying always.

When we turn to God to talk to Him during difficult times, the danger can be to attempt to kill our emotions in the name of “pressing on,” or to turn our emotions against God and others because we don’t understand.* The gift of prayer has great potential for us to process our pain well.

David Nystrom sums up the struggle well by saying,

James is well aware that life, and perhaps especially the Christian life, is one in which we experience trouble—and in such a way that we may feel tempted to call the goodness of God and of our fellow human beings into question. In such times James advocates neither anger nor stoic resignation, for the former poisons the spirit and the latter dulls the mind. Instead, he advocates prayer. It is a response that allows us to be active and positive and keeps us in communication with God.

James is aware of how difficult life is for us, and because of that, we know that God is aware.

But what of good times? James permissions us to adjust our approach to the seasons of life. When we are feeling cheerful, we are to praise. This word in the Greek implies “psalm.”* Sing to God!

I have felt condemnation at times that the passion for God in my pain looks differently than my passion for Him in my cheer. James helps us to avoid that unnecessary and ungodly condemnation. Whether times grieve us or times bring us cheer, the appropriate response is to turn to God in honesty.* The invitation to persevere includes a continuous turning to God no matter the season or situation, pleasant or otherwise.

Sing a song to God when appropriate. Talk to God always. He is for us.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to be honest with God about where you are at. Perhaps God would ask you to sing Him a song or chat about life. Maybe God wants you to repent for allowing your emotions to accuse Him and others wrongfully. Perhaps today God wants you to take a step closer to Him.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 241–242). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 269–270). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 5:13–14). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 298–300). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 303–304). Zondervan Publishing House.
Martin, R. P. (1988). James (Vol. 48, pp. 205–206). Word, Incorporated.

one step: James 5.4

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

James 5:12

We live in a very different world from not-many generations ago. Before WWII, a handshake was enough to seal and guarantee an agreement.* Over time, formal, written agreements were required before someone could trust another, but once made, each of the parties trusted that the agreement would be upheld.* Now, contracts are so frequently broken, there are certain circles of people who do not even think a broken contract to be an ethical issue.*

What has happened to our word?

James spent his letter to the Church correcting and encouraging God’s people toward Christ. In the context of conflict, persecution, and sin, James pointed the Church toward embracing humility, rejecting partiality, helping the poor, depending upon God for the future, and persevering in active patience. Now, he effectively tells the Church, “what you say matters.”*

God wants His people to be known for meaning what they say and delivering upon their promises. In the surrounding culture at the time of James, people were known to swear by things less-than God so that if they later did not want to deliver upon their promises, they could say that they were not bound by their promise because it was not made upon God.* Meanwhile, Jesus made it clear that swearing should be avoided (Matthew 5:34-37).*

In our context today, as well as in the historical context of James, many swear by God and other things that seem important.* It seems that there may be a choice when we want to be believed: swear by God or by something else. James, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, says, “just let your ‘yes’ and ‘no’ be enough by actually doing what you say you will do.” This is one powerful way to set yourself apart from a world that you are very much in.

When we realize how much our words matter, we will be honest about our situations, call out sin, measure ourselves accurately, and avoid cursing God even though life is so very hard. These things are counter-cultural in a divinely Kingdom way. When done, consistently, the world will come to know that your words matter; when you say, “yes,” or, “no,” you mean it.

Why bother swearing by anything unless you aren’t confident that your word is enough? Let your word be enough.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no by following through on the things that you say you will do. Perhaps God wants you to be true to your word by upholding the boundaries that you set in place that sound like “no.” Maybe today God would have you stop swearing about things to come that you cannot control. Perhaps today God wants you to exercise patience with allowing others to learn that your word matters.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 230–231). Zondervan.
Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, p. 236). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 268–269). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 5:12). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 294–297). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 300–303). Zondervan Publishing House.

one step: James 5.3

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 5:9-11

Have you ever found yourself yelling at a loved one over something that in retrospect was not actually worth an emotional explosion? Sometimes, when life is hard, we can allow our frustrations about situations to impact the individuals around us. Perhaps it’s because we aren’t processing our emotions well, or maybe it’s just because it’s easier to yell at a person than a situation. Whatever the case, James welcomes us to grumble to God about situations in honest conversation, but he forbids that we turn and grumble against each other.*

James reminds us of the prophets of old. Though we don’t know specifically which prophets he refers to, we do know that they spoke for and lived for God.* What was required of them is what is required of us. As Douglas Moo puts it,

What is needed is a willingness to bear up under the suffering, maintaining spiritual integrity and waiting patiently for the Lord himself to intervene to transform the situation.

That’s no small order, and God does not take it lightly (hence, His effort to talk to us about it through James). God does not intend that we welcome or wish for or belittle the incredible difficulties of this life; He does intend for us to gain as much as possible from those things that threaten to destroy us.

George Stulac, giving a progression through life’s difficulties, also gives us a glimpse into the heart of God for us in this broken world:

Suffering enters the believer’s life; perseverance is the believer’s response; blessing comes from the Lord, who is full of compassion and mercy.

James says, “we consider those blessed who remained steadfast.” We don’t often consider ourselves “blessed” when life is hard and we have to persevere, but we look at characters of the Bible like the prophets and Job and consider that they experienced blessings (indeed, even Job ended his life with more than he lost).* In trusting the words of James that those who endure with patience are blessed, we must remind ourselves of the nature of blessing.

As a reminder, blessed refers to a wholeness of life.* Jesus, in describing His upside-down Kingdom, lets us know who is blessed, and it’s not who you would expect (Matthew 5:3-12). A wholeness of life includes enduring patiently to the end of the race of life.*

Life is hard at times. Talk to God honestly about it. Don’t take it out on the people around you.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to receive the wholeness of life that God has for you: blessing. Perhaps today God wants you to stop taking out frustrations about situations on the people that you love. Maybe today God wants you to be honest about your frustrations with Him. Maybe today God wants you persevere with patience.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 228–230). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 266–267). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 5:9–11). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 285–292). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 286–288). Zondervan Publishing House.
Martin, R. P. (1988). James (Vol. 48, pp. 192–196). Word, Incorporated.

one step: James 5.2

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:7-8

In the Mediterranean region, during the time of James, agriculture was heavily dependent upon the rains for the success of its crops.* These rains came twice per year with extended waiting periods in between.* These waiting periods required patience, but it was not an inactive patience.*

The call of James in these verses is to hold fast to the future hope of the coming of Christ.* This hope is what the Church needed to endure the difficulties of life. It’s the hope that we still need today. Christ, like fresh rain, brings life. He is the hope of freedom and wholeness for the broken, unjust world in which we live. The patience with which we are asked to wait is not an inactive patience.

The farmers in James’ time plowed, sowed, weeded, and fertilized while waiting for the rains.* They could not control when the rains came, but they could put their hope in their coming.* It’s why they worked so hard between rains; they knew that they were not working in vain.*

So too must we work the fields in waiting of the second coming of the Lord. We must not wait with an inactive patience, but with an expectant toil. We must work and remember that while the work is hard and the trials are real, the rain of Christ’s coming reign is sure. He came the first time; the second time is at hand.*

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember that His future hope is coming. Perhaps today God wants you to engage in active patience despite the difficulty. Maybe today God wants you to remember that He is your hope.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 226–228). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 266). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 5:7–8). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 280–285). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 285–286). Zondervan Publishing House.
Martin, R. P. (1988). James (Vol. 48, pp. 189–192). Word, Incorporated.

one step: James 5.1

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

James 5:1-6

The message of James 5:1-6 can hardly be ignored. The pointed criticism from James comes as a climax to the correction he provides throughout the rest of the letter.* Leading up to this point, James has called for social equality, humility, and joy through difficulty within the Church. He now turns to outside oppressors.*

The oppressors to which James turns his gaze are not simply the wealthy in the community, but they are the wealthy in the community who have placed their trust in money and wealth (which does not last the test of time) instead of God and have used it to oppress others.*

In the time of James, day laborers depended upon their daily wages to survive.* To not make money one day meant to not eat that day.* The most wealthy in the community, unlike today, were often agriculturists who owned land and employed day laborers (who were the poorest of the poor) or slaves.* James cries out against them because they have denied the laborers their wages, which could equate to the murder of those whom the wealthy took advantage of.*

In the time of James, the poor would have no hope in court against the wealthy, no matter how unjust the situation.* James lets them know that God sees all and is just.*

The expectation for the rich in the context of Christian community is that the rich would help the poor, not just hoard more and more for themselves.* This is especially relevant in our current, American culture where gaining more and more items while saving more and more money for retirement is emphasized. While wealth, investment, and saving are not bad, they are a slippery slope that may lead to (without caution and submission to Christ) the behavior that James calls out in 5:1-6.* They may lead to ignoring God, ignoring our brothers and sisters in need, and welcoming the justice of God.*

These words are sharp. They cut. They may save us.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow Him to help you to see the poor around you and act. Perhaps God wants you to repent for a self-focus that ignores the will of God and the need of others. Perhaps today God wants you to know that He is just and will fight for you when you have been taken advantage of.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, pp. 219–226). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 261–264). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 5:1–6). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 264–278). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 269–283). Zondervan Publishing House.
Martin, R. P. (1988). James (Vol. 48, pp. 175–184). Word, Incorporated.