As you begin this time with God, allow yourself to be vulnerable to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-30345a" data-link="[a]\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> 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 <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30345O" data-link="(O)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30346P" data-link="(P)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30346Q" data-link="(Q)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30347R" data-link="(R)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>so that you may not be judged; behold, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30347S" data-link="(S)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>the Judge is standing <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30347T" data-link="(T)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30348U" data-link="(U)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30349V" data-link="(V)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30349W" data-link="(W)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>the purpose of the Lord, how <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30349X" data-link="(X)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brothers, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30350Y" data-link="(Y)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
As you read through the passage for the second time consider the following question:What does it mean to be patient in suffering?
This time when you read the passage, write down any phrases that stick out to you, when you are finished reading consider the following questions:
What about these phrases catches my attention?
What could God be teaching me through this passage?
On your final reading of the passage: Contemplate the phrase \”Establish your heart\” How does the passage use the phrase and what does the context reveal about it\’s meaning?
what are some practical steps you can make this week to establish your heart?
In Step With God 