The Perfecting Power Of Patience

A young woman was expecting her date. She was dressed-up and waiting patiently. However, by the time he was an hour late she figured she’d been stood-up. So, she took off her makeup, put on her pajamas, gathered all the junk food in the house and sat down to watch TV with the dog. As her favorite show was just coming on, the doorbell sounded. It was her date. He stared at her wide-eyed: I’m two hours late, and you’re still not ready?

The application is clear. Just like the farmer, every believer should be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. The Lord’s return should stimulate every believer to patience and persistence.

3 X’s in verses 7-9 we are reminded of the Second Coming.

The Lord’s return should stimulate every believer to patience and persistence. Ought to live expecting the Lord’s return.

Parousia (coming) refers to more than just coming; it includes the idea of “presence.” Perhaps the best English translation would be “arrival.” the church’s great hope is the arrival of Jesus. That truth appears in more than 500 verses throughout scripture.

2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

“Strengthen your hearts”

sterizo is a word denoting resoluteness, firm courage, an attitude of commitment to stay the course no matter how severe the trial.

* The obvious idea of this exhortation was that believers should realize that their trouble is temporary. It will end when Jesus returns.

* Though He has not returned in the lifetimes of millions of believers, He will and all may live in the anticipation that He may come at any moment.

* This argues for imminency, the idea that the next event on God’s schedule for Christ is the deliverance of believers from this world with all its troubles.

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

William Barclay, “The dynamic of this new life is the expectation of the coming of Jesus Christ. When a royal visit is expected, everything is cleansed and decorated, and made fit for the royal eye to see. The Christian is the man who is always prepared for the coming of the King of kings.”

Queen Victoria was much loved. She made unexpected calls on the farm folks who lived in cottages. Any day might be a royal day, and the Scots had a chair prepared for her visit. Their houses were kept spotless. They were a clean and wholesome people, but her announced visits added to the joy of keeping their homes lovely. The old people who remembered her visits in their youth charmed visitors by the expression used in the residences on Deeside. They would say, Perhaps today, she’ll come my way.

Perhaps today the clouds will part

asunder,

Reveal a glory brighter than the sun;

And we shall view, with transport, joy

and wonder,

The hope of earth and Heavens