Though it tarries, wait for it… —Habakkuk 2:3
“Patience is not the same as indifference; patience conveys the idea of someone who is tremendously strong and able to withstand all assaults. Having the vision of God is the source of patience because it gives us God’s true and proper inspiration. Moses endured, not because of his devotion to his principles of what was right, nor because of his sense of duty to God, but because he had a vision of God. “…he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). A person who has the vision of God is not devoted to a cause or to any particular issue— he is devoted to God Himself. […] “Though it tarries, wait for it….” The proof that we have the vision is that we are reaching out for more than we have already grasped. It is a bad thing to be satisfied spiritually. The psalmist said, “What shall I render to the Lord…? I will take up the cup of salvation…” (Psalm 116:12-13).” - My Utmost For His Highest
Patience is a reflection of faith. Our willingness to wait on God, even when our common sense tells us that we need to act … to do something on our own. Consider King Saul’s lack of patience and what it cost him.
“Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure…” - 1 Samuel 13:7-14
Patience is a fruit or product of the Spirit in us. In other words, our ability to demonstrate godly patience is a function of the depth of our faith and trust in God. The Apostle James wrote “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3) Saul’s faith in God was tried and tested and he was found wanting. His choice to act on his own... putting himself in the place of God and the prophet … cost him his kingdom. Has anyone ever “tried your patience”? Often that means that you are about to get angry about something or toward someone. The Bible is clear about how Christians are to live and relate to others. But we often forget that the Bible assumes that you, Christian, are living by faith submitted to the leading and power of the Spirit and you are not making the mistake of trying to live the life of faith in your own strength and wisdom. Like King Saul.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
No comments:
Post a Comment