The Value Of Patience

Hebrews 10 : 36, For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. KJV

When a woman conceives, typically she must wait forty weeks for the fetus to develop, and then she can deliver her child. The writer of Hebrews touches on this principle in his letter to the Jews. Every promise in the Word of God has conditions attached to them. We know this to be true because God told Israel, and Jesus told His disciples and all those who believed on His name that if they would obey, they would be blessed.

However, there's more to receiving promises than just obeying the requirements that come with a given promise. We must also have patience that we might wait for the manifestation of the promise(s) in our lives. Generally speaking, the fulfillment of a promise on our behalf is what we're seeking, but God desires us to be willing to wait. Have you ever wondered why God operates on a different time-table than us? Martha told Jesus that He was four days late; Jesus told her that according to God's clock, He was on-time.

Why is patience being perfected in our lives so important to God? Jesus tells us in Luke 21:19, By your patience possess your souls. We can become so consumed by our natural needs that we lose sight of the importance of maintaining a healthy soul. Remember the Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle John, and the apostle wrote, "Beloved I would that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers." Since we're more concerned over our needs and God is more concerned about the condition of our souls, there is a struggle that comes as a consequence of this dichotomy.  

Since our soul is won or lost based on our patience, God esteems patience many times over the comfort of our flesh that wants everything "now." So how do you suppose God has chosen to produce patience in His people so that we're willing to endure by faith until the end? 

James 1 : 2 - 4, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. NKJV

Do you find it difficult to count it all joy when trials come against you and your family? When trials come into a Christian's life, they will require trust in God and humility before Him. When we are patient in our trials, it shows the Lord that we, indeed, trust Him. As we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and wait for His delivering hand to bring us out of the trial and restore us from the hurt and loss that occurred, our patience will mature our character.

The difference between a mature Christian and an immature one is patience. The trying of our faith produces patience, but patience matures us as the children of God. So the next time you lose your patience, remember this; "THERE'S A TRIAL FOR THAT."

Patiently Waiting on God,

Pastor Asa