in His hands (ii)

3. the fairytale life.. in God's hands

coming thusfar, there's indeed is a promise of a 'fairytale' life under God's plan. the Bible tells us of God's plan in making every thing right again. life may be full of experiences that will keep going on and on, be they including the negative ones. james gave the encouragements on how we are to be patience as we learn to trust God for everything in His hands.

- the Lord's coming is 'near' (5:7-9)

everyday is a day closer to no more sufferings, pain or death. Jesus' coming is near! (He has come the first time). even so, in the midst of sufferings, we sometimes wonder whether God really does care.

- the Lord is full of compassion and mercy (5:10-11)

james reminded us of an OT example who displayed patience in the Lord, Job who despite being taken of everything in his life, persevered in his trust to the God who is full of compassion and mercy. we, however, know of God's characters more than those OT figures! we are convinced that Jesus died on the Cross, as a testimony of God's loving character. knowing God, His plans and characters are what make us patience. no matter what life feels like, it's in God's hands, His loving hands to be exact.

- so pray (5:12-20)

trust God in every situation!
when you're in trouble (13a)
when you're happy (13b)
when you're 'sick' (14-20)

the key to understand sickness in this passage lies not on physical sickness, but rather a spiritual one, as james had warned from the beginning of the book about being a double-minded person. the remedies are confessions and prayers that God may raise up (save) the person. we know fully that God will answer our prayers, as He is a compassionate and merciful.

4. the fairytale life.. can you imagine?

application: being cn is about being patience. there's always a sense of longing, whatever it is, that won't go away. the Lord's coming is near! in the meantime, keep seeking to do good while we wait for God to realise His fairytale life for us all. the paradise is indeed coming! (as keith urban inspires in his song).