“Be patient, therefore, brothers, 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 the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
(James 5:7, 8 ESV)
Often I have purchased fruit that was not ripe. How disappointed I was biting into it because fruit that is harvested prematurely is hard and sour. The farmer waits patiently until the sweet fruit is mature for the harvest. The Lord wants to be with the people that He loves. He prepares our hearts slowly over the dry and cold winter seasons of life and then awakens the dormancy of our monotonous routine with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit like Spring rains. The reward of waiting patiently for the Lord through the difficult times is His sweet presence.
1Worship 