How many people did you encounter today that need to work on their patience? I am betting you ran into a few and possibly you are leading the pack in need in that area. It is hard putting up with others, especially when one is severely tried.
A lot of people showed patience in their walk with the Lord in the examples God gave us in his holy word. Job is probably the legendary patient person most people think of. Job's world collapsed as he lost his health, property and all of his family, except for his nagging wife. Yet Job trusted in the Lord and said "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;" (Job 13:15 NIV).
It is easy to show patience when everything is going our way. But when one thing gets out of order, here comes the stress, anger and frustration. Instead of impatience, we must put our faith in God and in his timing and love like him.
The creator of the universe, our father on the throne in heaven, has incredible patience. He waits and waits for us to come to him. God loves us dearly and has given the whole human race common grace and has given saving grace to those whom he has chosen to redeem.
"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." That's what Paul told us in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV), "be patient with everyone".
God's power is needed for us to develop patience and it doesn't happen overnight. Patience is something that comes and goes as our circumstances change. Paul wrote a prayer in Colossians 1:11, "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,"
Pray to our Sovereign Lord today to give you endurance and to help you develop patience. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life – he is exactly what we all so desperately need.
No comments:
Post a Comment