Bible Reading: Psalm 40, Revelation: 2:1-10
“I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry” – Psalm 40:1(KJV).
Patience is a virtue that should be cultivated by the redeemed of the Lord. Christ left us an example of patience when He went to the cross bearing shame and humiliation. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Jesus endured the cross, he endured the contradiction of sinners. To endure means to suffer patiently without yielding. The scripture says that he that has confidence and trust in the sure foundation of Christ shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16).
Genesis 8:22(KJV) says: While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” The time between seed and harvest is the place of patience. A farmer who is not patient will harvest his crops before time resulting in very poor or failed harvest. We need patience for the materialization of what we prayed for. God does not answer our prayer all the time according to our desire but according to His eternal wisdom and knowledge. God who knows the end from the beginning answers your prayer according to his eternal knowledge. Apostle Paul presented a perfect picture of patience when he said in Hebrew 10:36(KJV), “For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” From Hannah’s womb Samuel was given to Israel. From Elizabeth’s womb came John, the forerunner of Christ, From Ruth’s womb came Obed, grandfather of David, the greatest King of Israel, of whom Christ is referred to as from the ROOT OF DAVID. Patience is a gestation period for the great blessings of God. The Psalmist says God inclined unto him after he patiently waited. God is not deaf, he hears our prayer more than we hear ourselves. He is working out something worthwhile for us. Habakkuk 2:3(KJV) says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie, though it tarry, wait for it ; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” The vision is for an appointed time. It will speak at the end, not in-between. If it is operated any other time other than the end it will amount to a lie. There is need for patience (wait), it is certain that it will come.
Patience and perseverance are great virtues that can make a lot of difference in a man’s life. The great oak tree we see and admire today was once a tender plant growing from the earth. Most of the rivers are product of little consistent drops of water. We have need of patience in order for us to reap bountifully. We need the spirit of servanthood to overcome fainting and discouragement in our walk with God. God is not slack but is working with a very superior knowledge in answering our prayers.
Prayer: Father endue me the spirit of patience and perseverance.