It’s been a little while since we have dug into the Greek together. 

Let’s do another truth meditation today. I’ll give you the Greek meanings of the words, and you write what He speaks to you as you listen. 

“You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” James 5:8.

“Be patient” – Greek verb makrothymeo – “to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles”. Written in the imperative mood expressing a command to the hearer. In the aorist tense – without regard for past, present or future time. 

“you” – Greek pronoun hymeis – “you”

“also” – Greek conjunction kai – “also, indeed”

“strengthen” – Greek verb sterizo – “to render constant”. From a presumed derivative of a root word meaning “to stand still”. Written in the imperative mood expressing a command to the hearer. In the aorist tense – without regard for past, present or future time. 

“your” – Greek pronoun hymon – “your”

“hearts” – Greek noun kardia – “the heart, as the center of the spiritual life; the soul or mind as the seat of the passion, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”

“for” – Greek conjuction hoti – “because, since”

“coming” – Greek noun parousia – “presence, arrival”

“Lord” – Greek noun kyrios – “he to whom a person belongs, about which he has the power of deciding; master”

“is near” – Greek verb eggizo – “to draw near, to approach”; written in perfect tense as an action which has been completed in the past, once and for all.

Now take a moment to jot down your meditation on the verse……

Got it? 

Okay….Here’s mine:

“Kandy, hang in there when you are in the middle of troubles. The patient perseverance isn’t just for a moment, but something that continues throughout your lifetime.

“Yes, the second coming of the Lord will come. But just think, His Presence is already within you – in your mouth and in your heart. You don’t have to be anxious for anything, because the Lord is already near. 

“Since He is the One making my decisions, my heart can rest – stand still as it were. Everytime that I get a glimpse of Him, I know that I look a little more like Him . Just looking at His face transforms mine. Knowing that strengthens my heart…that’s for sure. Selah.”

I love you, dear one. Thanks for digging into the Word with me.

What did the Father say to you? Will you share your truth meditation with me?

(Photo courtesy of Tom Clark)

Are you a list maker?

I am. In fact, when I am especially tired, I write things on my list just so I can cross them off. Ask my girls. They will testify of this fact.

After all, God is efficient, right? His desire is to affect the greatest amount of good in exchange for the least amount of spent human energy. 

Yet, honestly, He sure wastes a lot of my time. You know, teaching me stuff like patience and steadfastness over and again.

He would rather have faith increased within us than watch us accomplish great work. 

He speaks to this very thing in John 8:28-29:

“Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’

“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.’”

Do you see? It’s not that we check lots of items off our spiritual boxes, but that we simply faithe. 

Our goal at the end of each day is to hear Him say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. You believed well today.”

Can you tick the faith box this morning?