Pastor John,
I was going through looking at different scriptures on patience and in James 5:8, it says to establish your hearts.
[7] Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. [8] You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
What is he meaning by “establishing”, and is it possible that is something we can do or is that waiting on God to do for us?
Steve
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Hi Steve.
To establish your heart means to be “no longer children, tossed by waves and blown about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). It requires patience and faith. It is the work of God in a willing heart.
A heart that is strengthened by God is stable, and it proves itself over time. God’s children will learn that they can count on him whose heart is established. A strengthened heart does not pursue worldliness, but has its eyes fixed on Jesus and the hope of eternal life.
A heart that is established endures all things with the attitude of a servant. It reacts to provocations with kindness and to blessings with humility. It judges all things with the mind of Christ. It is filled with the love of God and “never fails”. An established heart loves righteousness and hates iniquity. It rejoices in hope and speaks the truth in love. An established heart waits.
A heart is established by fire, by going through trials and learning to trust in God, who “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” It neither flies too high or plunges into depths of despair; it confidently rides the waves until it reaches the shore, knowing that with Jesus in the boat, it cannot sink. An established heart does not yield to the pressure of a multitude to do evil, but senses what is good and clings to it.
You may know within yourself that Jesus has established your heart, but it always takes time for some others to be convinced. To convince them is your job, but you cannot do that with words; consistent godly conduct alone will win their confidence.
Pastor John
Comments welcome:
https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1901783702696333433