The Patience of Allegiance

Everyday Faith

By Dan Osborn, November 16, 2025

Rethinking Patience

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James 5:7-11 (ESV) 7 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. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 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.

Series Recap

  • For James, faith isn't just belief; it's a deep trust that proves itself in loyalty—an allegiance that reshapes every part of our everyday lives.
  • Today, James turns to what this allegiance looks like when it's tested by time, hardship, and the temptation to give up.


Introduction: The Problem with Patience

  • Everybody wants to be patient, but nobody wants to be told to be patient.
  • Why? Being told to be patient reminds us that we are not in control.
  • We are gripped by the “Tyranny of the Instantaneous,” and it affects us deeply.
  • What happens when we're not just inconvenienced, but encounter real seasons of pain and hardship?
  • Main Idea: Patience is not passive resignation, but hopeful anticipation of what God is and will be doing in our lives.


Patience is Possible (v. 7-8)

  • James says to be patient… “until the coming of the Lord.”
  • This is our “end date.” As followers of Jesus, we know our suffering will not last forever.
  • The basis for our patience is the promise that Jesus is coming back to make all things right.
  • Our patience is not blind waiting; it is a hopeful anticipation of this promise.


Three Pictures of Patient Allegiance

1. The Farmer: Working (v. 7-8)

  • The farmer isn't passive while he waits; he is actively working.
  • Patience is not a “stop sign”; it is an active, rugged expression of our allegiance.
  • It's not a call to disengage, but a call to prove our allegiance by faithfully doing the work He's given us to do, trusting Him with the timeline and the outcome.
  • In patience, we are working while we're waiting.

2. The Prophets: Witnessing (v. 10-11)

  • The prophets suffered for doing what God called them to do.
  • In the face of suffering, they continued to proclaim the message about God. They persevered.
  • Example: The Apostle Paul in prison.

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel… so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (Philippians 1:12-13)

  • Patience in suffering is not an OBLIGATION, but an opportunity to be a witness to the goodness and grace of God.
  • In patience, we are witnessing while we're waiting.

3. Job: Worshiping (v. 11)

  • Job’s story gives us permission to be honest with God. His “patience” was messy (arguing, lamenting, wrestling).
  • The most profound part of Job’s story is NOT that he got everything back, but that while he was suffering, he experienced God's compassion and mercy in a unique way.
  • God promises to meet us in our pain and suffering in ways He does not promise in our comfort.
  • Suffering is not wasted time; it is an invitation to worship.
  • In patience, we are worshiping while we're waiting.


The Gospel & Application

  • The Gospel reminds us that Jesus was first patient in suffering for us, so that we are now empowered to rethink patience in our suffering.
  • How do we grow in patience? It starts by asking God for it.
  • When we rethink patience, we see it not as passive resignation, but as hopeful anticipation of what God is and will be doing.
  • It is an invitation to Work, Witness, and Worship as we wait.


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