James 5:7-11 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. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 
James gives three examples of steadfastness in suffering.
Farming (5:7): “Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring.”
God's Word (5:10–11): “Job is an example of a man who endured patiently.”
Christ's Return (5:8–9): “You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
James says that you have seen the purpose of the Lord...have you seen the purpose of the Lord in Job? Have you?
I believe that we have heard of the steadfastness of Job, we see in clearly in Job 1:21, "And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” We are witnesses again to his steadfastness in Job 2:10, But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
OK, we just witnessed the steadfastness of Job and now we will look at the compassion and mercy of the Lord. We see it pictured for us in Job 42:10, "And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." Again we see it in Job 42:12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
So the question for me is what was the purpose of the LORD? WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD IN JOB'S SUFFERING? There are some amazing and interesting words in Job chapter 3...I'm sure someone has preached on this verse but I have never heard anyone speak to these words in Job.
Job 3:25 For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.
This is not the time or place to develop this, but let's simply say that everything that happened to Job God did it! Satan was active, but God is sovereign over everything and every being, even Satan. I love the way one pastor put it...Satan is God's lackey, errand boy, in the personal sanctification of the Saints! What do you mean Mark, what did Job say..."the Lord gives, the Lord takes away." Remember what Joseph said to his brothers in Gen 50:20...as for you, you meant evil against me, God meant it for good...
What is your point...Job was a righteous man in the beginning of Job, but he feared other things in addition to God...I believe that is idolatry! What is Job's testimony at the end of Job? Job 42:5-6 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” WHAT DOES JOB FEAR NOW? WHAT DOES JOB FEAR NOW?
What about you? What about me? Do we fear financial ruin? Do we fear the loss of health? Is that idolatry in the life of a child of God? Dr. Rogers said frequently that anything that you love, serve, fear, desire more than God is an idol in your life. I believe that the answer is yes.
Father in heaven,
Fill us with YOUR Holy Spirit and enable us to fear, with a reverential fear, wonder and awe, YOU and YOU alone! Please work this in me for YOUR glory and my joy in YOU.
love,
m