God Is Patient

It’s no surprise that as I pray to be more patient, God presents me with opportunities to cultivate patience in my character, by way of people who try my patience, as well as situations that require me to wait for a change after I’ve done my part. (I’ve concluded that a lot of the time after you’ve done everything you can do under your own power, you’re to pray and wait.)  Yes, God has a sense of humor, indeed.  And he is an answerer of prayers.

Patience is a godly trait, as love is patient, and God is love (1 Co 13:4; 1 Jn 4:16).  And we’re encouraged to be godly (Ti 2:11-15).  So my prayer is:

‘Lord, help me to be wise and patient, overlooking offenses. 

Help me to have persuasive patience.  Let me value patience over my own pride. 

I pray that I be an imitator of you Lord, showing kindness, tolerance, and patience that others may see you in me and be lead to repentance.  And I thank you Lord God for showing me the same grace and mercy! 

Although my anger might be justified, Lord let me keep from showing my wrath, as you do.

I know that I show myself to be your child when I’m understanding, patient and kind.

Lord, help me to work out my salvation so that I may reap the fruit of the Spirit, of which patience is a part.

I pray -as Paul did for the church in Colosse- that all believers be strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might that we may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to you the Father, who’s qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints.

I pray that I clothe myself in patience daily as one of your chosen Lord God.   

Lord, I know that I’m always in danger of becoming lazy and falling away from the body, so bless me with a mind to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what you’ve promised; examples like your prophets who spoke in your name Lord.

Yes, the patience of the Lord means salvation, and I thank you again Lord God for your patience that has lead me to salvation!  Help me to reflect your patience Lord!  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.’

(Pr 19:11; 25:15; Ecc 7:8; Ro 2:4; 9:22; 2 Co 6:6; Ph2:12; Gal 1:11; 3:12; Heb 6:12; Jas 5:10; 2 Pe 3:15)

Manna

The state of life I’m in now is a situation I’ve likened to the children of Israel being provided bread from heaven in Exodus 16:4.  My needs aren’t being provided in a way I’d like them to be –which admittedly is out of pride.  But I’m also thankful that God is blessing me with my daily bread (Php 4:19).  I understand the importance of worshipping God joyfully, regardless of how I’m being blessed.  So, the test for me (and many of us, I’m sure) is will I continue to trust God at his word and bless his name, no matter how things look (v.4)?  (I’m reminded of my own words in a previous blog post after typing that statement.)  God despises the proud, so in his love for us, he puts us in humbling situations –not to ever harm us, but in order to keep us under his loving protection and so that we may recognize and glorify him, and I’m thankful for it (Pr 3:12; 16:5). 

Also, like Israel, I’ve stepped out on faith trusting in God according to his word, and I’ve looked at my past situation compared to the one I’m currently in, and I’ve sometimes thought that things were better.  But of course, like Israel, I also groaned when I was in ‘Egypt’ (Ex 16:3). 

Not to justify it, but I can honestly say that my grumbling is not in doubt of God and his plan for me, nor is it motivated by ungratefulness, but it’s out of sheer impatience (Jer 29:11).  I’m constantly needing lessons in patience, which is just God perfecting me, and shaping me to look more like him, because love is patient and God is love (1 Co 13:4; 1 Jn 4:8). 

So, I ask that you all pray that we all learn to be content (-although never settling.  I’m convinced that the Lord has not called us to accept mediocrity.), and stand on God’s promise that he will provide for us as over comers through Jesus Christ (Php 4:11, 19; Rev 2:17).  And also pray that we be more patient as God works it all out.

Those Who Wait

As much as I like blogging, starting next week I’ll post only once per week, as I have other priorities that require more of my attention.  But considering I’ve been posting three times a week for about three months, I have quite a few posts in my archive.  So, I’ll encourage readers read them and comment on them still.

There are many benefits to being patient, which is something I’ve been struggling with lately.  My grandmother suggested I write a blog entry on this topic every week.  We have encouragement through scripture in patience, as well as restoration through patience.  And patient people promote peace and enjoy harvest (Pr 15:18; Isa 40:31; Ro 15:4; Jas 5:7-8).

We should be patient because it’s commanded (Mt 22:37-39; 1 Co 13:4; Ro 12:12; 1 Th 5:14).  It shows trust and wisdom (Ps 40:1-4; Pr 19:11).  And God himself demonstrates patience (1 Ti 1:16; Nu 14:18).  Thank you for it Lord!  The hope Christians have is a byproduct of salvation (Ro 8:24-25,NIV note on v. 24).  Although we may experience momentary discouragement, a person who is saved is never hopeless, and doesn’t live a life that is characterized by hopelessness. So patience during suffering must also result.

In Hebrews 6:12, faith, patience, and the inheritance of the promise is juxtaposed with laziness.  Faith and patience are not passive, but active (see also Heb 7; Jas 2:17).  Faith must be proven by action.  Just as the farmer waits for the land to yield its crop, he continues to tend to the land and provide a healthy environment where crops will flourish (Jas 5:7-8).  And see how grumbling and complaining are also counter-productive and not indicative of one who is saved.  Complaining brings about judgment, not a harvest (Jas 5:9).  Bless us Lord!  Patience is also juxtaposed with pride (Ecc 7:8).  Patience says wait on the Lord.  Have wisdom and trust.  Recall past victories.  Surely God has even greater in store!  Pride says, do things your own way.  It ain’t comin’ fast enough.  And don’t you know that God will not reward impatience (Heb 11:6)?   

The things that I believe God want for me require me to be patient and faithful and work as one who is waiting for a promised harvest, not work as one who’s at it all alone.  My promise is in the seed of God’s word, not manmade devices!