🙏Weekly Devotion September 17th, 2026

Fjeldberg – Devotion for September 17th, 2026

READ (James 5:7)

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the valuable harvest from the earth, patiently waiting for it until it receives the early and late rains."

REFLECT

We live in a fast-paced world that demands instant results. When prayers feel unanswered, traffic stalls, or plans fall behind schedule, our immediate reaction is frustration. We want to speed up people, plans, and even God. 

Yet, the Bible compares patience to a farmer waiting for a harvest. A farmer cannot rush the seed. They cannot yell at the soil to grow faster. They plant, they water, and they trust the process governed by a timing outside of their control. 

I found my patience tested the last few weeks as much-needed work on our pipe organ was “stalled” for a time. Work started out the first part of July and progressed according to plan; pipes were removed and cleaned, wooden air chests were dusted and cleaned and work on “voicing” the pipes was well underway. Unfortunately, the pipe organ expert experienced some personal and family health issues, so work slowly and painfully crept along for a time, much to my dismay. I felt anxious and impatient and my personal test of patience commenced. I prayed and kept in frequent contact with him during this time period. Thankfully he started feeling well enough to start working again and he gradually has been able to finish about 95% of the total project with the remainder to be completed in a very short time. The organ is able to speak once again and it sounds amazing! Praise to our Lord and Savior, who is our "role model" for patience and grace! 

Patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. This means it is not a personality trait you must manufacture on your own strength; it is a character trait God grows inside you as you surrender control. Active patience means recognizing you are not in charge, choosing grace over anger, and believing that God is working behind the scenes—even when you cannot see it. This was a very valuable lesson for me to learn.  

PRAY

Lord, thank You for never losing patience with me. When my heart feels hurried and anxious, calm my spirit. Help me to release my rigid expectations, trust Your perfect timing, and show grace to the people around me while I wait. Thank you, loving God, for your guidance in getting our wonderful pipe organ refurbished, to be used for your honor and glory, now and in the years and decades to come! Thank you for the congregation at Fjeldberg for their generous support and patience in getting the pipe organ project completed! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Devotions by Paul