As I understand them, the remaining verses give us examples of the positive use of the tongue. When James calls for patient endurance in 5:7-12, he gives two negative commands regarding the tongue: (1) Don’t grumble – verse 9 and, (2) Don’t swear – verse 12. In chapter 5, James contrasts the words of some in this life with their weeping and wailing in the day of judgment because of their abuse of wealth and of the poor (5:1-6). In chapter 4, we see the abuse of the tongue in the strife within the church (4:1-2), in the way some saints spoke against others behind their backs (4:11-12), and in the vain boasting of some about the future (4:13-17). In chapter 3, James speaks directly to those whose speech impacts the lives of many – those who desire to be teachers. He draws an analogy between the emptiness of these words of comfort and a profession of faith that has no accompanying works (2:17ff.). In chapter 2, James comes down hard on those who are hypocritical with their words – they speak words of comfort and help, but they do nothing to back them up (2:14-16). In chapter 1, James instructs us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (1:19). It has been a theme in every chapter of this epistle. It is my opinion that the dominant theme of these closing verses is the use of the tongue. Now, he is addressing not the abuser, but the abused. But in verse 7, we find James speaking much more tender and assuring words of comfort. The earlier verses were an indictment of those who were misusing their poverty or their wealth as a pretext for sin. James 4:1-5:6 has a strong prophetic note, with words of warning concerning future judgment, and a clear call to repentance. There is a very direct relationship between what comes before verse 7 and what follows, but let me first point out something that has changed significantly – the mood of the text. The word “so” (or “therefore” in a number of other translations) indicates that the exhortation of verse 7 is in some way the result of what has been said in the preceding verses. So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming (James 5:7a). That, of course, is precisely what James asks us to do – to wait patiently for the return of our Lord: I’m sure that James would have smiled at this, as we did, pleased with the way this child was willing to patiently wait for a very joyful appearance. Taylor replied, “That’s okay Mom I’ll just sit here and wait.” My daughter, Joanna, told us that it was a still couple of hours before they were scheduled to arrive, and so she told Taylor it was going to be quite a while for her to wait there, by the window. When Friday arrived, Taylor stationed herself on the window seat, looking out the window for any sign of them. Taylor was excited this week because her “Nanny and Papa” were coming to see her on Friday. They live far away in California and are only able to come to Dallas once or twice a year. Our granddaughter, Taylor, has been anxiously waiting all week to see her other grandparents.