Patience Series

August 08, 2020

We are a society in a hurry. We want what we want and we want it yesterday, so we have:

• Microwaves – great invention to reduce cooking times, but now we tap our fingers because it’s not fast enough.

• Highspeed internet

• Highspeed rail

• Instant messaging and Instagram

• Fast food

We dislike anything that slows our frantic pace as we run through life:

• Standing in line --- hate that!!!

• The person in the cross walk --- “walk a little faster!!”

• The person driving “slow” in the fast lane --- “get out of my way!!!”

• You send a text – because it’s faster than email – then get no response for 3 days……… “come on – how hard can it be!!!”

• The green light that turns yellow {2017 - 939 deaths caused by people running red lights - "Drivers who decide to run a red light when they could have stopped safely are making a reckless choice that puts other road users in danger," David Yang – executive director AAA traffic safety}

Eugene Peterson {A Long Obedience in The Same Direction}: One aspect of the world that I have been able to identify as harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. We assume that if anything can be done at all, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Our attention spans have been conditioned by 30-second commercials….

The several Greek words translated into “Patience” can also mean - persevere, longsuffering, abide, endure, fortitude, forbearance, mild, gentle, self-restraint and long to anger.

Patience is not just the ability to wait, but our attitude while we are waiting.

To tell you the truth, patience is something I struggle with…..

It’s strange, really… In some areas of my life I am very patient - I don’t get upset if my plane is delayed – for example. And yet, you don’t want to be in my way on the freeway, and one of my favorite sayings is, “How hard can it be?” spoken in an irritated voice and accompanied by lots of eye-rolling – clearly God has some work to do in me. Good thing He’s patient!

God’s Patience toward Us:

• Exodus 34:6 - And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

• Psalm 86:15 - But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

• Romans 2:4 - Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

• 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God chooses to walk at a pace we can walk.

When people read the Old Testament, they often come to the wrong conclusion that God was harsh and arbitrary and mean in His dealings with people. Yes, there was judgment and it wasn’t pleasant, but judgment is not the same thing as being harsh, arbitrary and mean. The fact is --- God was incredibly patient – more patient than I would have been.

• Adam and Eve disobeyed – they hid – God went looking for them – “where are you?”.

• The people of earth were destroying themselves – God hired Noah to preach for 120 years while building a boat big enough to carry anyone who wanted to get on.

• The Children of Israel chose to wander the desert for 40 years – God wandered with them.

In Deuteronomy 28-30, Moses set before the Children of Israel the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God (as any good parent would do) – BEFORE they entered Canaan.

• Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Not too many years later we read this:

• Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

I would have taken them out and started over………. But, do you know how many years it took before Israel was finally destroyed by Assyria? 688 – and that was only after they had completely rejected God.