Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1-3; Luke 18:1-17.
Memory Verse: “And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.” 2 Samuel 2:11 (KJV).
Patience is defined as the suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil with a calm, unruffled temper. It is endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. It may spring from Christian submission to the divine will. Patience is often used as a synonym of longsuffering though some differentiates the two but they are often used interchangeably.
The Bible states in Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV), “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Now these are the behaviors that one that is truly born again is expected to exhibit continually. These are evidences that the person is walking in the spirit and conforming to the image of Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
How patient are you in your interactions with others particularly those that are of less social status with you and/ or those that you have authority over as your subordinates in church, at home, in the office etc. In our passage, Saul had been killed at the war front and the position of the king of Israel was vacant. David knew that he had been chosen to be king over Israel and his tribe of Judah made him king and he asked the Israelites to do same (2 Samuel 2: 4-7). But Israel, the bigger part of the country refused to crown him and instead chose to crown another child of Saul, Ishboshet as king!. David did not choose to fight them to surrender rather he waited patiently for the will of God to prevail. In 2 Samuel 2:11 (KJV) the Bible says, “And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.” That is how long he waited before becoming king of Israel that God had said he would be. He did not fight anyone to quickly takeover the kingship of Israel. In fact, when two men connived to kill Ishbosheth thinking they had done David a favour, he instructed those people be killed instead! ( 2 Samuel 4: 5-12).
When you are faced with difficult choices, at home, in traffic, in your relationships, in your office, in business, do not rush to a decision, pray to God and be patient, think of what God will have you do in such a circumstance! Patience is often developed through hardships and waiting. Romans 12:12 (KJV) says, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Just like your father in heaven is patient with you, you are expected to be patient with others. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV), “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” If God is patient with you, it is an example that you should follow and be patient with your neighbour and even yourself!
Action Point: Exercise patience in that situation confronting you as you seek the face of God on the issue.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero