8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
For some Christians, life on earth is filled with trials. Hostility, ridicule, oppression, persecution, etc. are their daily experiences. In the preceding context of our verse, the apostle James wrote about the exploitation of the poor and needy. To be ridiculed and exploited when you are already poor and suffering is very excruciating. Certain biblical saints who have been in such circumstances have prayed that God would shorten their lives (1 Kings 19:1-4). Some cried, “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?” (Psalm 74:10).
We should not expect to have everything easy and comfortable in this present life. Jesus has told us that “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). Paul told the early believers “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Christians must be ready for hardships and heartaches.
James’ first advice to the suffering Christians is that they be patient. Bearing the wrongs done to them, without murmuring and retaliation, is the Christians’ high calling in the Lord. The essence of James’ exhortation is that suffering Christians ought to be longsuffering. When our oppressions and suffering seem prolonged, let our patience be enduring. Let not our forbearance and courage be short-lived. Let them continue as long as there is a need to be patient.
James also exhorts the suffering Christians to “stablish your hearts”. The word “stablish” (stērízō) conveys the ideas of confirming and strengthening. In its appearances in the New Testament, the Greek word for “stablish” is found mentioned as the outcome of the ministry of the Word (Romans 16:25), and prayer (Luke 22:32; 1 Thessalonians 3:13). In our most agonising moments, let us turn to His Word and prayer for wisdom and strength to patiently endure our trials.
Till the Lord comes again, Christians must endure adversities thrown at them along life’s journey. Soon Christ shall come, and we shall be delivered from all our trials and tears. He will then wipe away our tears (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Then we shall also be rewarded for enduring our trials and for glorifying Him with our humble labours.