What to do when results are not forthcoming- Patience
Psalms 42:1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
Did he promise you anything and haven’t fulfilled it yet ? Have you been in a situation where you were to exercise what we call patience? Have you ever been at a spot insisting on something from someone and yet the reply was not forthcoming?
Patience is not something everyone can easily claim to have. To be patient means to stretch beyond the elastic limit in expectation. I choose to wait for him, what if he returns in the next 10 years, will he find you waiting?
We’ve got a lot of people with a short temper, they always want the answer to their questions come as they ask them.
Do you have a temper?
This reminds me of a passage of the scripture that I love to read
Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
I imagine, what If God responds to us as we respond to others? If he treats us in the same measure we treat others would you be find confident in your relationship with people? If he postpone your blessings like you postpone your commitment to him, how would you feel?
Let’s look at this beautiful illustration from the scripture, it’s a long read but follow me carefully:
Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. [24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. [28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. [29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. [30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. [31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. [32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: [33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? [34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
We have two key players in this parable The Lord and the servant…
The servant was in debt of a whooping 100,000 talent, but the Lord who was compassionate cleared his debt.. Hold on a moment! If someone were to owe you a 100,000$ would you tell him to forget about it? His master was kind enough to spare his life alongside his household clearing their debt, but the servant was not able to overlook a 100$ debt! Ha!
I’ll ask again, if God were to treat you exactly as you do to him, will you survive it? If he decides to seize your breath for a moment as you say you’ll serve him when you’re done enjoying life, what exactly will be your fate? Patience!
In our walk with God, Patience is essential. How? People are so annoying you may say, Fix your gaze on God, you won’t go amiss. The slogan: What Would Jesus Do? should serve as a guide for our victorious living in Christ.
Oh! People won’t make this easy for you. Check it, now that you decided to serve God with all you’ve got, offenses are coming from all corners. Your patience will be tried and tested, but like Paul said in
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He had every right and opportunity to not die at the Cross, but he endured the cross, the scorn, shame, despise, mockery, beatings, for the sake of us whom he loved.
What Patience is
Patience is compelling
Patience is God
Patience is persistence
Isaiah is a remarkable character in the scripture. I’ll ask you a question before I share this scripture with you: What will you do if the person you are looking for doesn’t want to see you? He could care less if you wait forever trying to get his attention.
A typical person would be furious, loose his temper even, to hell with you! I don’t give a damn! Funny but true. You wait in a queue for 30minutes tops, you’re already lamenting. We’re human after all!
Patience is persistence
Now let’s take a look at the prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 8:17 And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isaiah 8:17 While I wait for God as long as he remains in hiding,while I wait and hope for him.(MSG)
Lol! He knew that God deliberately wasn’t paying attention to him, but he decided to Wait for God. Moses waited for God too
In this case, God called Moses himself and tried his patience if you ask me
Exodus 24:12,15-16,18 And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. [15] And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. [16] And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. [18] And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Exodus 25:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying…
Can you imagine, you sent for me, I answered and you kept me waiting for you for 40 days and 40 nights. Patience!
It’s like Timothy said “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”(2Tim.1:12).
If you know whom you seek, you will wait on Him. This is not applicable only in your walk with God, in your place of work,school, organisation, relationship with others. Patience is virtue.
Study Guide
what is Patience?
How do we apply this virtue in our daily lives?
Food for thought
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
Patience is needed for growth to occur.
Beloved if you’re yet to give your life to Christ; you are just in time. God’s invitation to you is still open
Receive him today
Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you came to the world and you died for me. I accept you this this day to be my lawfully wedded husband, my Lord and personal savior, cleanse my heart from all unrighteousness. In Jesus name, Amen.
Congratulations, you are now a born again Christian.
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