The Fruit Of Patience

THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE

"8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 11 And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 12 then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:8-14.

After Saul became the first King of Israel, there was peace in the land. But it was short-lived! Now the Philistines threaten the nation of Israel. So he chose an army of three thousand strong men and another one thousand men under the command of Jonathan. Jonathan and his men attacked a unit of the Philistines army in Geba. When the leaders of the Philistines heard of it, they brought a great army to attack Israel. The army they brought was a very large and powerful one. It consisted of 30,000 chariots, 6000 horsemen, and people that were as the sand of the sea. When the people saw the great force of the enemy they ran and hid themselves while others fled to another country. But King Saul remained in Gilgal. In other to defeat the Philistines army the nation needed the help of God. Hence Samuel was called! The prophet gave Saul a command to wait for seven days. The sun rose on the seventh day, and still there was no Samuel. As soon as the seventh day was over, the King grew impatient and offered the sacrifice on his own. He didn’t wait long enough. Saul gave up only minutes too soon. Little did he know prophet Samuel was just around the corner. The result of Saul’s impatience was that his reign would come to an end and another person would be chosen to replace him.

What a big lesson for us today! Are you in a period of waiting? Are you facing a Philistine-like problem? Is your anxiety driving you to the point of despair? Saul shows us that the solution to a time of waiting is not to be impatient or to go ahead of God. The solution to a Philistine-like crisis is not to undertake some rash, foolish action without consulting and waiting to hear God first. If we are not careful we'll make the same mistakes that Saul made. Our choices have consequences! Impatience will always leads to mistakes. When pressure weighs heavily on you, turn the problem over to God. Trust Him, and let Him guide and rescue you from what seems hopeless. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. We can enjoy God’s leading and blessings as we patiently wait on Him. "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all." 1 Thessalonians 5:14. We that are called children of God are instructed to be patient at all times. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” 2 Timothy 2:24.

Impatience is a fruit of unbelief! Our patience in the times of trouble often reveals the degree of trust we have in God. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." Psalm 37:7. Patience is to persevere under difficult circumstances. Its the ability to trust and wait on God in times of challenges. Paul proclaimed in Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Patience is the power to endure suffering without complaining. Its the ability to control your emotion when being criticized. Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry. Its the ability to manifest wisdom in a tense situation. Patience is waiting for God's perfect time without complaining. Its an inner attitude that helps us to be calm rather than irritated while we wait for God's leading. Patience is persevering in the face of delay or provocation. The Strong s Exhaustive Concordance defines patience as cheerful endurance. It means to continue doing good, to persevere in adversity, to stay steady in a hostile environment, and to maintain your focus. Romans 12:12. Patience is endurance without murmuring. Patience with God is the ability to trust and wait on Him in seasons of difficulties. So be patient! God's delay is not a denial.