What is patience?

Ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or circumstances without losing one’s temper, without becoming irritated and angry, or without taking vengeance. It includes the capacity to bear pain or trials without complaint, the ability to forbear under severe provocation, and the self-control that keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity.

The usual Hebrew expression for patience is related to the verb “to be long” and involves the idea of being long to get riled or slow to become angry. Two different Greek words were translated by the KJV translators with the word “patience.” One of the words has the idea of “remaining firm under” tests and trials and is better translated “endurance” or “steadfastness.” The other Greek word is related to the above Hebrew meaning and refers to patience as “long-spiritedness” or “calmness of spirit” even though under severe provocation to lose one’s temper.

The great biblical illustration of patience in operation is God himself. Several passages speak of him, in conjunction with other gracious attributes, as “slow to anger.” In a context that stresses Israel’s rebellion and provocation of God, he is contrasted as a God who is forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness (Nehemiah 9:17). The psalmist declares, “Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15, RSV; see also Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). In addition, the virtue of a patient spirit on the part of mankind is extolled in the OT, especially in Proverbs (Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 25:15; see also Ecclesiastes 7:8).

The NT also stresses the patience of the Lord. It is God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience that lead people to repentance (Romans 2:4). God was patient in holding off the Flood for the sinners of Noah’s day while the ark was being built, thereby giving more time for repentance (1 Peter 3:20). Probably the greatest of the NT references to God’s patience is in 2 Peter 3:9. The delay in Christ’s return is not an indication of slowness on God’s part, says Peter, but of his long-suffering, not being willing that anyone should perish. A specific reference to Jesus Christ’s patience is made by Paul, who claimed that, in his case, Jesus was able to demonstrate perfect patience (1 Timothy 1:16).

Patience, which is an attribute of our God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, is also to characterize each Christian. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is that they might demonstrate this quality (Colossians 1:11). It is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), an attribute of love (1 Corinthians 13:4), and a virtue (Colossians 3:12; see also 2 Timothy 3:10). In addition, Christians are exhorted to be patient (1 Thessalonians 5:14). If we are not, we will be treated as the slave in a parable that Jesus told. This slave pleaded with his lord, to whom he owed a great sum, for patience, promising to pay all. The lord was patient and forgave all the debt, until he found out that the slave had refused to show the same patience to a fellow servant who owed him a pittance in comparison (Matthew 18:26-29).

In some contexts, the word “patience” takes on the more general meaning of waiting long and expectantly for something. The farmer waits patiently for the crop to come (James 5:7b). Abraham waited patiently for God’s promise to give him the land of Canaan to be fulfilled and died without seeing what was promised, although still believing (Hebrews 6:15; 11:39). Finally, all Christians are commanded to be long-suffering until the coming of the Lord (James 5:7a).

GOD’S PATIENCE

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GOD’S PATIENCE?

BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 9:1-38
KEY BIBLE VERSE: They refused to listen and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and full of unfailing love and mercy. You did not abandon them. (Nehemiah 9:17)

GOD’S PATIENCE IS LONG-SUFFERING

Seeing how God continued to be with his people shows that his patience is amazing! In spite of our repeated failings, pride, and stubbornness, he is always ready to pardon (9:17), and his Spirit is always ready to instruct (9:20). Realizing the extent of God’s forgiveness helps us forgive those who fail us, even “seven times seven” if necessary (Matthew 18:21-22).

BIBLE READING: Joshua 23:1-16
KEY BIBLE VERSE: If you break the covenant of the LORD your God by worshiping and serving other gods, his anger will burn against you, and you will quickly be wiped out from the good land he has given you. (Joshua 23:16)

GOD’S PATIENCE SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED

This chilling prediction about the consequences of intermarriage with the Canaanite nations eventually became a reality. Numerous stories in the book of Judges show what Israel had to suffer because of failure to follow God wholeheartedly. God was supremely loving and patient with Israel, just as he is with us. But we must not confuse his patience with us as approval of or indifference to our sin. Beware of demanding your own way, because eventually you may get it-along with all its painful consequences.

BIBLE READING: Luke 15:11-32
KEY BIBLE VERSE: So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

GOD’S PATIENCE IS AN EXPRESSION OF HIS LOVE

In two preceding stories in Luke’s Gospel, the seeker actively looked for the coin and the sheep, which could not return by themselves. In this story, the father watched and waited. He was dealing with a human being with a will of his own, but he was ready to greet his son if he returned. In the same way, God’s love is constant, patient, and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but he will not force us to come to him. Like the father in this story, God waits patiently for us to come to our senses.

HUMAN PATIENCE

HOW CAN OUR PATIENCE BE STRENGTHENED?

BIBLE READING: Esther 6:1-11
KEY BIBLE VERSE: That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the historical records of his kingdom so they could be read to him. In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate the king. (Esther 6:1-2)

PATIENCE IS DEVELOPED THROUGH WAITING

Mordecai had exposed a plot to assassinate Xerxes-thus he had saved the king’s life (2:21-23). Although his good deed was recorded in the history books, Mordecai had gone unrewarded. But God was saving Mordecai’s reward for the right time. Just as Haman was about to hang Mordecai unjustly, the king was ready to give the reward. Although God promises to reward our good deeds, we sometimes feel our “payoff” is too far away. Be patient. God steps in when it will do the most good.

BIBLE READING: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
KEY BIBLE VERSE: We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

PATIENCE IS DEVELOPED THROUGH HARDSHIPS

Paul had been persecuted during his first visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9). No doubt those who had responded to his message and had become Christians were continuing to be persecuted by both Jews and Gentiles. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he said that Christ’s return would bring deliverance from persecution and judgment on the persecutors. But this caused the people to expect Christ’s return right away to rescue and vindicate them. So Paul had to point out that while waiting for God’s kingdom, believers could and should learn perseverance and faith from their suffering.

GOD’S WORD ON PATIENCE

If you’ve ever spent two hours stuck in rush-hour traffic or held a crying baby at 2:00 A.M., you know something about patience. According to the Bible, patience is a form of perseverance and forbearance that allows us to respond to frustrating circumstances with grace and self-control. Contrary to popular opinion, patience is not merely a personality trait but is a by-product of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of the believer.

HOW CAN I GROW IN PATIENCE?

• Exodus 5:22-23 . . . Moses went back to the Lord and protested, . . . “Why did you send me?”  We become impatient when we focus more on our agenda than on God’s will.
• Psalm 40:1 . . . I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  We must wait patiently in prayer for God to do his work in us.
• Habakkuk 2:3 . . . If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.  We develop patience as we learn to live from an eternal perspective.
• Galatians 5:22 . . . When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience.
  Patience is a by-product of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our heart.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4 . . . Love is patient and kind.  Patience is one of the evidences of love.
• Romans 8:24-25 . . . If we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
  Patience is produced by the hope a believer has in God’s eternal glory.

WHY IS PATIENCE SUCH A VIRTUE?

• Romans 15:5 . . . May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.
• Galatians 5:22 . . . When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
• Colossians 1:11 . . . We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.  Patience leads to harmony with others, endurance to handle difficult circumstances, and an expectant attitude of hope that things will get better. It demonstrates a thoughtful and careful attitude toward others feelings. Anyone can be patient, but there is a higher level of patience which comes from God through his Holy Spirit’s presence and work in our lives.
• Colossians 3:12 . . . Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  God’s love and work in our daily lives often brings patience.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 . . . Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
• Ephesians 4:2 . . . Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Patience is a characteristic of love. The more loving we become, the more we model the nature of God in our lives. God is incredibly patient.
• Proverbs 16:32 . . . It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
• James 1:2-4 . . . Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
• Hebrews 10:36 . . . Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  Patience is evidence of strength of character. Enduring patience flows from strong character.
• James 5:7-8 . . . Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
• Psalm 5:2 . . . Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you.
• Isaiah 8:17 . . . I will wait for the Lord to help us, though he has turned away from the people of Israel. My only hope is in him.
• Lamentations 3:24, 26 . . . I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” . . . So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.  Patience is an aspect of faith and hope. The greater our hope, the more we patiently wait for it, and the more our faith grows that it will truly happen.
• Genesis 29:20-21, 25, 27-28 . . . Jacob spent the next seven years working to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. Finally, the time came for him to marry her. “I have fulfilled my contract,” Jacob said to Laban. “Now give me my wife so we can be married.” . . . But when Jacob woke up in the morning-it was Leah! “What sort of trick is this?” Jacob raged at Laban. “I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?” . . . “Wait until the bridal week is over, and you can have Rachel, too-that is, if you promise to work another seven years for me.” So Jacob agreed to work seven more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too.
  Patience is the key to achieving many goals. Achieving goals is rarely done with a quantum leap, but rather by small footsteps.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 . . . We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.  Patience is the key to enduring suffering. Suffering is better endured when patiently endured.

HOW DO WE DEVELOP PATIENCE?

• Colossians 1:11 . . . We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.
• Galatians 5:22 . . . When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
• 2 Peter 1:4-7 . . . By that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises . . . So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.
• Romans 15:4 . . . Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises.
• James 1:3 . . . When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  God develops our patience through our relationship with him. The more we walk with him, the more we learn his patient endurance.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14 . . . Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
• 2 Timothy 2:24 . . . The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.
• Proverbs 19:11 . . . People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.
• Proverbs 14:29 . . . Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.  God uses our relationships to develop our patience. Abrasive relationships teach us to patiently endure. Loving relationships teach us to patiently enjoy.
• Romans 5:3-4 . . . We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
• Romans 12:12 . . . Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.
• 1 Peter 2:19-20 . . . God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you.
• 1 Samuel 13:11-12 . . . Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”
• Ecclesiastes 7:8 . . . Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.  God uses life circumstances to develop our patience. We do not always choose the circumstances that come our way, but we do choose the way we respond to them.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPATIENCE?

• Genesis 16:1-2 . . . Sarai, Abram’s wife, had no children. So Sarai took her servant, an Egyptian woman named Hagar, and gave her to Abram so she could bear his children. “The Lord has kept me from having any children,” Sarai said to Abram. “Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed.  Impatience may cause us to rush ahead of God’s promises or try to force his promises to happen ahead of schedule.
• 1 Samuel 13:8-14 . . . Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”  “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have disobeyed the command of the Lord your God. Had you obeyed, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your dynasty must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the Lord’s command.”  Our impatience can lead to disobedience, causing us to miss God’s blessings in our lives.
• Numbers 21:4-7 . . . Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient along the way, and they began to murmur against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this wretched manna!” So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them, and many of them were bitten and died. Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.  Our impatience can lead to complaining and God’s punishment.
• Proverbs 14:29 . . . Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.
• Exodus 32:1 . . . When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. “Look,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don’t know what has happened to him.”  Our impatience can lead to poor life choices.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “WAIT ON THE LORD?”

• Isaiah 33:2 . . . Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strength each day and our salvation in times of trouble.
• Isaiah 40:31 . . . Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
• Psalm 33:20 . . . We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.
• Isaiah 8:17 . . . I will wait for the Lord to help us, though he has turned away from the people of Israel. My only hope is in him.
• Psalm 130:5 . . . I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.  Waiting on the Lord is bringing our timetable in sync with his. We try not to rush ahead of him or linger too far behind him.
• Psalm 62:1, 5 . . . I wait quietly before God, for my salvation comes from him . . . I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  Waiting on the Lord is relying on him as the source of our daily strength for all situations, realizing our total dependence on him, and maintaining our hope in the promises of his Word.
• Psalm 40:1 . . . I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
• Psalm 37:7 . . . Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
• Psalm 27:14 . . . Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
• Micah 7:7 . . . As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
• 1 Kings 18:43 . . . Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, but he returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look, and seven times he went.
  We should wait quietly, patiently, courageously, and confidently with anticipation.
• Psalm 106:13-14 . . . How quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! In the wilderness, their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry land.
• Genesis 8:15-16 . . . Then God said to Noah, “Leave the boat, all of you.”
• Luke 1:20 . . . Since you didn’t believe what I said, you won’t be able to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time.
• John 11:5-7 . . . Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and did not go to them. Finally after two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”
• Acts 1:4 . . . In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before.”
• Proverbs 20:22 . . . Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
• Psalm 37:34 . . . Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.  We should wait for his counsel, his timing, and his settling of personal and universal injustices.
• Isaiah 30:18 . . . The Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.
• Lamentations 3:25 . . . The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.
  The Lord blesses those who wait for him.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

• Isaiah 40:31 . . . Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
• Lamentations 3:25 . . . The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.

Waiting for God’s timing brings great rewards.

Please stay tuned for more.