But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no
law. Galatians 5:22-23
The
patience of God is endless. His answers in our lives are not based on our time
tables. If you are a Christian, you may be praying for someone or for yourself,
for healing, for comfort, to find a spouse, to have a baby, to find peace. Someone
may be praying for you and here you are reading about Jesus and His Word!
Beautiful. God works in a myriad of mysterious ways. To Him, a day is like a
thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. (Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8)
Moses
lived in the desert for 40 years and was 80 years old before God used him to
bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Sarah and Abraham had their son, Isaac, long
after child-bearing years. In fact, the name Isaac means “laughter.” That is just what Sarah did when she found
out she was pregnant. She laughed! Daniel was brought into captivity in Babylon
when he was a teenager. He remained a faithful servant of God in the midst of
corruption and greed, consistently praying for his fellow Israelites to be
allowed to go home. His prayers would be answered but he would remain in
Babylon until he was a very old man.
It is
difficult to be patient and trust God over a long period of time isn’t it? Do
not lose heart. God is not slow in coming.
The
Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness; instead
he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
It is our friend, JJ’s,
45th birthday. She marvels at the passage of time. As she prays in
the early morning hours, she thanks God for His patience with her. Her faith
has matured and she recognizes how God has worked in her and in her family. It
has been fifteen years since her son’s allergies were diagnosed and controlled.
Her mom and dad enjoyed their apartment for ten years before her dad went home
to Jesus five years earlier.
She is
now just two years older than CC had been when they first moved in. All of
those years ago Jenny’s love for her neighbor was a forced love out of obedience to God. She tried, many times unsuccessfully, to follow His ways. But God had worked a
miracle and her eyes glistened with tears as she discovered the truth. She
really did love Crabby Cathy.
She
picked up her Bible and in her daily reading she found this:
Be
patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the
farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the
autumn and spring rain. James 5:7
The fruit of the
Spirit she had studied all of those years ago was growing slowly and steadily.
She recognized the work of the Holy Spirit within her, and the faithfulness and
patience of God over time. He was so good. CC was getting ready to have
surgery, and she bowed her head again.
Lord Jesus,
Teach us how to be patient. We want immediate gratification
when we see a need. You hear every single prayer and You give us what we need,
when we need it, in Your time. Be patient with us we pray. You place us in
situations and with people for a reason. Give us the same patience that You
have with us.
Amen
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