Category: Patience
Subject: Patience
Wait Quietly
As Jeremiah lamented the rebellion of Judah, and the chastisement of his God, he nevertheless acknowledged God’s judgement was righteous and that His nature was merciful and good. And so he wrote, “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:25-27).
There are a couple of truths in this passage that are worthy of examination. Taking the last words first, we should acknowledge that it “is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.” While burdens, chastisements and distress are never easy, they do build character. The prophet knew that the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and God’s judgment of the people was, though harsh, very much deserved. To live through this would help the young know of the consequences of rebellion, and cause a turn to righteousness and steadfastness as the lesson was learned.
The second truth is that God does His own will in His own time. It is not appropriate for us to complain about these things. Job did , and even to the degree of his suffering, the answer of God was basically, “How dare you?” So, when things are going bad with us, little or big, and we chafe at trouble, let us not murmur and complain. Instead, let us “wait quietly for the LORD.” He is the preeminent Creator. As His people, let us not be presumptuous!
Reasons for Thanksgiving
In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he began by expressing thanksgiving for them. Why was he thankful?
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Because it was fitting (3). In other words, there was a legitimate reason for his joy. Its origin was their conduct in Christ, which he lists in verses 3-4.
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Because their faith was growing exceedingly (3). These Christians hadn’t stalled in their faith as others did and can do today (Hebrews 5:12—6:6). Through diligence and effort, they were making progress, and growing stronger spiritually.
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Because their love for each other was abundant (3). John considered this the primary characteristic identifying the people of God (1 John 4:7-11). The Thessalonians were wonderful examples of the proper response to God’s love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
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Because they were strong in faith and patience in the midst of tribulation and persecution (10). It is one thing to be strong when the going is easy. It is a true reason to rejoice when faithfulness is seen despite the devil’s attempt to destroy it. The zeal of the Thessalonians was truly praiseworthy.
So, a natural question to ask… Is our congregation one that Paul would “thank God always for”? Are we growing in faith? Abounding in Love? Remaining steadfast despite trials? It is important to be counted “worthy of this calling” (11).
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Sermon: The Need for Patience
Our time is no different from any other age. In every generation, the Christian is in need of patience as he seeks to do the will of his Master.
Sermon: Tools for Encouragement
It is important for us to be active in encouraging our brethren and others. God supplies us tools to enable us, such as His powerful word, the imperative of love, and patience.
Longsuffering
Longsuffering is an attribute that should be present in every Christian. Paul prayed that the Colossians, as a part of their worthy walk, would be strengthened that they might be longsuffering, and maintain their joy. It is needed for the Christian because of the inevitability of provocation as a result of the faith. Because the child of God is different and non-conforming, he will be mistreated. Longsuffering is self-restraint in the face of that provocation. It is typical to seek revenge or act with wrath and anger when mistreated. However, the longsuffering Christian does not hastily retaliate against those who are in conflict with him. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
Longsuffering is characterized by Paul in Galatians 5:22 as fruit of the Spirit of God. The Greek term used there (makrothumia) is defined by Thayer using words such as: “patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.” These terms clearly indicate a characteristic attitude that should be present in every Christian. In our interactions with our fellow man, we truly should be slow to respond to provocation and sin committed against us.
COVID-19 (25) The Power of Patience
It was inevitable. Six weeks ago when the government started encouraging people to stay home, just about everyone was on board. The virus is extremely contagious, and we all were concerned about our health, and the health of our loved ones. But, as time has passed, people have started getting antsy. Many have lost their jobs, the economy has almost completely shut down, and the protests have begun. Whether you believe that there is legitimacy to the claims of government overreach, or you believe that protesters are acting selfishly and dangerously, it is clear that the patience of the American populace is wearing thin.
Protests have taken place in Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Kentucky, Wyoming, Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. In Lansing, Michigan, almost 5,000 people showed up at the state Capitol on April 16th to protest the governor’s strong stay at home order. There has long been a debate over governmental regulation vs. personal liberty. The pandemic is putting these discordant views into sharp relief.
COVID-19 (5) Wait on the Lord
Psalm 27 has the caption (in my Bible) “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” The description is accurate, as the psalmist declares his complete faith and trust in the Almighty.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?” (1)
Sermon: Tim Stevens Meeting, Spring 2019
1 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to the Future of the Church?
2 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to My Forgiveness?
3 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to My Anger?
4 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to Time?
5 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to My Attitude Toward God’s Word?
6 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to My Influence?
7 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to Humility & Servitude?
8 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to Repentance?
9 – Is My Heart Right with Regard to Persecution & Endurance?
Sermon: What Can the Righteous Do?
David affirmed in Psalm 11 that in the midst of trial or persecution, the righteous can depend upon God as they place their trust in Him.
Invitation: Be Patient, Brethren
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
James describes rich individuals in James 5 who were guilty of oppressing the poor, and perpetrating fraud. He assures their righteous victims that the Lord will settle accounts in eternity. We, as they, must simply be patient.
Wait On Your God
“So you, by the help of your God, return; observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually” (Hosea 12:6).
It is hard to be patient. This is especially so when you perceive injustice. While you are striving to be good and righteous, the ungodly prosper. The Psalmist knew this, and counseled:
Sermon: Inheriting the Promises
The promises of God are wonderful and bountiful, but they are also conditional. the ultimate promise is that of heaven. May we have the patience and faith to receive it.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Affliction
The greatest affliction of life is never to be afflicted.
– Unknown
Affliction is not pleasant. When we are the recipients of tribulation in this life we feel pain, sorrow and stress. We all would rather it not be our lot, “Let this cup pass from me…” (cf. Matthew 26:39). I recently came across a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald that poignantly describes our perception of severe affliction:
In a real dark night of the soul
it is always three o’ clock in the morning, day after day.
And yet, such affliction is beneficial to the child of God. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
The apostle does not call such affliction light to minimize the pain and suffering we experience. It is light in the sense that it is temporal and fleeting. In contrast, our faithfulness through trial proves us “worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer” (2 Thessalonians 5:1). It is our lot in life to suffer. It happens to us all. The question is, will we have sufficient patience under such duress to prove us worthy of eternity?
Mining The Scriptures: James 1:1-4
James 1:1-4
The epistle of James is a general epistle, in the sense that it was written to a broad group rather than a specific individual or church. It was written to the “twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” indicating Jewish Christians throughout the world. Though the introductory paragraph does not specify Jewish Christians, the contents of the letter show that his intended audience is believers in Christ.
James’ letter is eminently practical, and his first admonition in verses 2-4 certainly deserves this designation.
The trials of life are tests, and if we pass the tests, we benefit greatly as a result. When the text says that tribulation produces patience, it acknowledges the fact that we learn as we endure. We grow stronger, we are tempered and we mature. As such, when we come out the other side, it can be said of us that we are “perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
While tribulation is not pleasant, such testing is nevertheless cause for joy. It is because of the spiritual growth we experience. And, even more so because it shows our Lord that we are worthy to join with Him in suffering and future glory.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Comfort and Encouragement
Paul exhorted the Thessalonians in his first epistle to , “…warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (5:14).
It seems to me that Paul was trying to get the Thessalonians to look out for and take care of each other. Sometimes, to take care of someone, you must warn them. Tell them of the consequences of their actions, so that they will not lose their standing with God. Other Christians may need comfort. The idea of “fainthearted” here indicates someone who is discouraged or troubled in spirit. Finally, some may be weak, and need to be upheld. We need to stick with those who are struggling, including babes in Christ, and support them until they become strong, and can do the same for others.
Simply put, we are to love each other!
Stan
