Patience
Let patience have her perfect work in you.
Let us wait upon the Lord.
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. —Isaiah 64:4
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Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. —John 14:1
If we are truthful with ourselves, we sometimes get tired of waiting. Life seems to be passing us by while we’re stuck in a moment, a season, or a predicament.
“If only God would move faster or bring resolution quicker, I can be free, jump for joy, and give more to Him. But here I am…somewhere I don’t want to be.”
Though waiting can sometimes be tough, there are four things we can learn while waiting:
1—Waiting gives us perspective. Waiting gives us the opportunity to see our situation differently. Instead of simply seeing the micro-level, in time, we see the macro-level. We see and understand that God has a bigger plan in store for us beyond our current circumstances. He wants to do something in us and through us for His glory.
God makes everything beautiful in its time, including you.
Exodus 3:7-8 – And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
The Lord Himself had seen the affliction of the children of Israel and has heard their cry. He previously stated that after four hundred years of affliction in Egypt, Abram’s seed would be delivered (Genesis 15:13-16). That nation of people would return to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) after the iniquity of the Amorites was full (Genesis 15:16).
As we face afflictions, trials, tests, and difficult times, may we not forget that God sees and hears our afflictions and will deliver us in due time. Let us be faithful unto Him and wait for His deliverance and restoration.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Additional scriptures: Exodus 2:23-25, Psalm 11:4, 33:13, 34:17, 145:19; Hebrews 4:13
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/lovesr
Hannah lived with her husband, Elkanah, and his second wife Peninnah and her children (1 Samuel 1:1-28). The first description of Hannah her lack of children. In ancient Israel, a barren woman was seen as a sign of a woman’s and family’s greatest misfortune.1 Though Hannah bore him no children, he still loved her (1 Samuel 1:5).
When her family went up to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, Peninnah and her children would receive their portion, but Hannah received a worthy portion from Elkanah because of his love for her. Even as she endured the shutting of her womb by the Lord, her adversary provoked her sore, causing her to fret (1 Samuel 1:6). This provocation occurred year after year as she went up to the house of the Lord. She would cry and not eat.
When Elkanah saw her, he asked why she was crying, wouldn’t eat, and heart was grieved (1 Samuel 1:8). He asked if was better to her than ten sons she could bear him. Though she would eat and drink, she went into the temple of the Lord in bitterness of soul, prayed unto Him, and wept sore (1 Samuel 1:10).
Jesus spoke to the multitude on a parable of a sower (Luke 8:5-8). His disciples would ask the meaning of the parable. In His response, He said:
Luke 8:11-15 – Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
When the Word of God is heard four things can happen (as described in the parable). It is important that we ensure we are able to receive the Word of God in the manner and method that brings forth fruit.
Many people are talking about reaching new levels or being elevated in the Lord. They’re waiting for their season of blessing, joy, peace, overflow, and abundance. Little thought goes into their current season – besides wanting out of it. However, the Lord uses seasons of trials and tribulations to mold us into mature disciples that resemble His Son (Romans 8:29).
Many people will find that when they complete one ‘test’ of life, another is right around the corner. Then, when they finish that one, another one awaits (but maybe not right away). Our lives are filled with various situations and circumstances that challenge the comfortable ground we’re on, want to remain on, and desire to be.
Psalm 37:8 – Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
There comes a time when you’re so mad that the the scripture above doesn’t come to mind. In fact, the only thing that comes to mind when you’re mad is revenge; giving into temptation/sin; and going O-F-F on someone! Peace, love, calmness are no where near your mind.
Anger is a dangerous emotion. Anger desires a response. It doesn’t consider the consequences. It only considers itself – at all costs. It’s a highway to other emotions and actions:
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