James Week Six — Waiting on God
Scripture Highlights:
“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.”
— James 5:7 (NIV)
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
— James 1:4 (NIV)
Introduction:
Waiting is one of the hardest parts of faith and the life of a believer. We pray, we hope, we trust—but then we wait. And waiting tests what we really believe about God. In James 5:7–12, we're encouraged to be patient like a farmer, trusting that the harvest will come in its time. It’s not passive waiting. It’s hopeful, active patience. A confidence that God is working, even when we can’t see it yet.
James points us to examples like Job, who endured pain and confusion, but was never abandoned by God. We also see the prophets, who waited faithfully even when the results were slow to appear. Their perseverance wasn’t wasted. God used it to shape them, strengthen them, and glorify Himself through them.
James 1:2–18 brings even more clarity. Trials aren’t detours, they’re opportunities. When we face difficulty with faith, it produces something in us. It causes us to grow in perseverance, maturity, and trust. And in the middle of waiting, we’re reminded of God’s character. He is generous with wisdom, unchanging in His goodness, and always working for our growth.
Waiting on God doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means choosing to trust instead of panic, to pray instead of control, to stay instead of flee. The fruit of waiting is deeper faith, stronger character, and greater joy on the other side.
Read the Full Text:
James 5:7–12 (NIV)
7 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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
James 1:2–18 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
What area of your life are you currently waiting on God for?
Are you waiting with hope and trust, or with frustration and anxiety?
How is God using this season to grow your faith, patience, or character?
Who in Scripture or in your life inspires you to stay faithful during seasons of waiting?
Pray This:
God, help me wait well. I confess that I don’t always like to be patient. I want answers, progress, and resolution. But I trust You. Teach me to see waiting as a place where You’re working in me, not withholding from me. Grow my faith and my endurance. Let me be like the farmer—patient, hopeful, and grounded in truth. Give me joy in the process and peace while I wait. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
