Crumbs28

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 28 : Patience

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord;    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord    and put their trust in him. 4 Blessed is the one    who trusts in the Lord,who does not look to the proud,    to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God,    are the wonders you have done,    the things you planned for us. None can compare with you;    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,    they would be too many to declare.

Crumbs

Waiting in the Old Testament means waiting for God to act and waiting for Him to tell us what service He wants of us. It is tough to live that way. We naturally look for unwise palliatives and forbidden short cuts. See the works of the flesh in Galatians 5 .Patience is the antidote from the Holy Spirit, an intrinsic quality of God. It is seen in God’s holding back judgment. 2 Peter 3:15.Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? I wonder why in view of our constant messing with His world, our hurting each other, our sinning God does not say “Enough” and wind the whole thing up, but He is merciful. He is patient.

In Scripture there are helpful examples of divine patience in action. Christ showed patience in dealing with Paul 1 Timothy 1:16. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Paul’s life shows patience 2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ,. The Prophets showed patience James 5:10.Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

We are asked to clothe ourselves in patience. Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Our clothes often reveal what sort of people we are so our patience in life should show the kind of God we follow. Colossians 1:10-11 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

We need to be patient with each other. Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Those who preach should be patient. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. And we should be patient waiting our inheritance Hebrew 6: 12,  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion)1. How do we clothe ourselves with patience? 2. How can God given patience help us against the works of the flesh ? 3. How would patience improve our lives ?