Definition: Forbearance, tolerate delay, suffering without becoming annoyed/anxious, long suffering.

When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated — when another car cuts us off in traffic; when we are treated unfairly

Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties.

The rapid pace of life often brings with it the tendency for instant gratification. For many of us, when we want something, we want it now.

Waiting, waiting, waiting…

Key 1: One of the best examples of patience in the Bible is Abraham. When Abraham was around 75 years old, God promised him that he would have a child. But Abraham didn’t see that promise fulfilled until he was 100 years old (Gen 21:5).

The Bible says that Abraham, “having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Heb 6:15, NIV). Abraham stayed steadfast in his faith. The Apostle Paul describes Abraham’s faith in the following way:

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (Rom 4:20-21, NIV).

Just like Abraham, in the midst of our trials, desires, and wants, we need to remember to look to God, who always fulfills His promises. We need to be like Abraham recognizing that God has the power to do what He says He will do.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be humble, gentle, patient and bearing with each other.

2 Peter 3:9 – God is patient with mankind desiring/waiting for people to repent.

Key 2: 1 Sam 13:5 – 13 – v10: Lack of patience in the Lord made Saul’s reign to be cut short.

David in 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”

Lack of patience comes from Plan B (impatience). Examples: Abraham thought that the promise would be fulfilled through Hagar and Ishmael. The plan B brought trouble instead in his household.

What else does the Bible say about Patience?

One day God’s patience/long suffering will end and he will judge the world. 2 Cor 4:16.

Prov 14:29 – Whoever is patient has great understanding

Rom 12:12 – Patience in affliction

Prov 16:32 – Better a patient person than a warrior

Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Exodus 14: 14 – The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore as God chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Joel 2:13– God is slow to anger (patient) – Rend your heart  and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

James 5:7-11 – Be patient until the Lord comes.

Analogies:

1. A farmer has to wait patiently from the time that he sows to the time that he harvests. In between there are expenses incurred in wedding, fertilizer and pesticides (Trials,temptations,challenges). But at the harvest time he is full of joy. The Angels shall gather the elect from all corners of the world (Matthew 24:31) – What a joy shall it be during the harvest time! Let us patiently wait, He who is coming will come and will not delay (Heb 10:37)

2.  One day a  mother came home with raw fish from the market, and her little baby started crying uncontrollably due to hunger.  He wanted to be given the fish and eat it raw (unfit for consumption).  The mother in her wisdom ignored him and she started to prepare the fish and to spice it up.  Finally, she served the well prepared fish to the baby who liked it and he forgot that he was crying.

In the moment of waiting, we may feel hungry like the baby, and we may want to use short cuts. This may lead us to ‘eating/doing unfit things’. We should know that in that moment of waiting, the Lord is preparing something good for us.