Patience: April 22, 2013

Today's Word for Monday APRIL 22, 2013.

PATIENCE 

DEFINITION:

The power or capacity to endure without complaint something difficult or disagreeable; longsuffering; ability or willingness to suppress restlessness; quiet; steady; even tempered.

SCRIPTURE:

Make haste to help me O Lord. Psalm 70:1.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4. 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In the first verse above, David showed his lack of patience but in the second verse Isaiah relates to us that we need to develop patience and learn to wait upon the Lord. But like David we do not like to wait. We dislike long lines at the super market, traffic jams, waiting to eat at a restaurant and even waiting for a friend or family member.

We live in a day when everyone wants instant gratification. We want everything now. When we pray and ask God for something and if it does not happen right away, we are like David. We say, "Hurry up Lord and answer my prayer." We must remember that patience requires perseverance and endurance.

Having the patience to wait on the Lord allows God to work in our lives so we can grow in faith. Waiting is a time of learning. What happens within us in the process is often more important than the attainment of what we are waiting for. Waiting on the Lord takes trust and obedience.

In James 1:2 to 4, James tells us to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Waiting for God to answer a prayer can cause us to doubt. Is God really listening? Does He hear our prayers? We can be assured that God does answer our prayers. His timetable is not the same as ours, but His timing is always perfect. Waiting may test our faith, but learning to have patience is part of becoming a mature Christian and being what God wants us to be.

In our family it is a known fact that I [Ken] do not like to wait and basically I am very impatient. It is my nature to want to have things done yesterday. Fortunately my wife, Dottie, is a perfect balance to me because she is always very patient. As I have grown older I have worked hard in trying to be more patient. Through this exercise I have realized the importance of balancing my tendency to be impatient with what God wants me to do spiritually --- wait upon Him.

Several times we have been amused when we think of a statement that the great preacher of years ago said in a sermon on patience. His illustration was completed when he said: By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Now that is patience.

Patience leads to success. Success is largely a matter of holding on after all others have let go. You need patience to make that happen.

LEARNING: 

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, give me patience today and help me to wait upon You to renew my strength. Help me to be patient with those who try to make my life difficult. Help our family to be patient with one another. Give our family today the patient endurance that will enable us to run and not be weary and to walk and not be faint.