James 5:7 KJV
[7] “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”
The early believers had to live their lives amid difficult circumstances. They faced severe persecution for their faith in Christ. Because their outlook was so dark, James encouraged them with an up look. He reminded them that a better day was coming for the child of God.
The admonishment in this text is to be patient. It is a word James will use repeatedly. In this verse, he gives the believer both a Biblical and biological reason to be patient. The inspiration is that Christ is coming. The illustration is that we cannot hurry the process any more than a farmer can hurry the fruit of his labor.
Life is a process that we all must go through. It requires patience to make it through the difficult seasons of life. However, hope strengthens patience. The farmer has hope because he is waiting for the early and latter rain. The early rain in those Palestinian areas would begin in October after a long dry summer. In extremely dry seasons, it may not even come until November. The latter rain would come in March and continue through April, and then it would be over until October. The early rain would allow him to plant, and the latter would allow him to reap. Child of God, keep plowing and working the field. Keep sowing the good news that Jesus saves. There is a reaping day coming for us all. Be patient and wait for the rain!