Patience

Brian Kuehmichel
August 10, 2020



"Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66:1-2

Definitions

Patience is enduring or waiting, as a determination of the will.

Patience is waiting upon God, enduring without a complaining attitude or spirit.

Patience is a strong determination of will to victoriously overcome the negative things we confront in a manner pleasing to God.

Patience is not getting ahead of God's will. Nor is it merely enduring a difficulty under compulsion or of necessity. A patient person recognizes that "Life is not fair!"

What aggravates your patience? work, children, shopping, transportation, phone calls, spouse, cooking, restaurants, medical or dental office, insurance company, political phone calls, scams, waiting in line, paying bills, insolent behavior, etc.

God's example for us

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Rom 2:4)

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus" (Rom 15:5)

"Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (1Pet 3:20)

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you." (2Pet 3:15)

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:12)

Patient warnings

"But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." (Rom 8:25)

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom 15:4)

"But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience." (2Cor 6:4a)

"So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure" (2Thes 1:4)

"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience." (Titus 2:2)

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:12)

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Heb 10:36)

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Heb 12:1)

"Put on" Patience, Longsuffering

Patience is a deliberate and willful attitude that results in other Godly behaviors. Patience interconnects with the other fruits of the Spirit. Apostle Paul spoke of developing the strength to be patient through noble conduct, fruitfulness, and growth in the word of truth. Then we can be strengthened unto patience and endurance.

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Col 1:9-11)

Choose to surrender to God's leading and timing through His Spirit. When we are patient with family it displays love. When we are patient with others is shows respect. When we are patient with ourselves it shows confidence.

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." (Col 3:12)

Patience is deliberate and requires action.

"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." (1Tim 1:5)

"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2Ti 2:22)

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1Th 2:13)

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1Pe 5:6-7)

Benefits of patience

Patience helps us work and serve as one body rather than practice selfish independence.

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph 4:1-6)

Patience helps when teaching and training others. All of us have varied teacching roles in diverse situations.

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (2Tim 4:2)

Patience helps endure hardship and suffering with less emotional distress.

"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." (Jas 5:10-11)

"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." (1Pet 2:19)

Pray for patience

See God's help by prayer for the desire to possess and manifest patience. Do not put our expectations upon others, then we will not be upset when they do not meet it. Often times our desires are delayed. God's "no" is giving you His best.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Rom 5:1-5)