Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM Page 1 WHAT DOES HE B S ... · the epic moral history of mankind...

WHAT DOES THEBIBLE SAY ABOUTPATIENCE?

WWhen a timeless virtuelike patience is all but forgotten in the

incessant waves of breakingnews, fast food, and overnightdelivery, we can be sure that wetoo are somewhere in the currentof a powerful riptide.

I am particularly interested,therefore, in recommending this booklet written by RBCwriter and research editor Dean Ohlman. Dean’s fresh and personal style, combinedwith his background in education and the classics, have given him the ability tohelp us see ourselves throughwindows of the past. Hisreflections on the virtue we loveto hate provide fresh insight intoourselves and the unparalleledwisdom of the Bible.

Martin R. De Haan II

Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo:Terry BidgoodScripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by ThomasNelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.© 2004 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA

CONTENTS

A Man Of Patience . . . . . 2

A Poet Of Patience. . . . . 3

Its Old Testament Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Its New Testament Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Its Ultimate Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

The Company Patience Keeps . . . . . . . 15

The Trials Of Patience . . . . . . . . . . 19

The Consequences Of Impatience . . . . . . . . 23

The Rewards Of Patience . . . . . . . . . . 28

Its Ultimate Hope. . . . . 30

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM

A MAN OFPATIENCE

SStanding just five feettall, his acquaintancesconsidered him to

be unremarkable inappearance—homelyaccording to some. Yet astatue of this man stands tallin the English “hall of fame,”the Westminster Abbey. The brief inscription on thepedestal below reads, “Heremoved from England theguilt of the African slavetrade, and prepared the wayfor the abolition of slavery inevery Colony of the Empire.”

The one honored by burial in this place of renown was WilliamWilberforce, a man whogained the respect of hisfoes as well as his friends for his unrelenting fightagainst slavery, child labor, and animal abuse.Shortly after beginning his political career as amember of the English

House of Commons, he wasencouraged by John Newton(a former slave-ship captainand writer of the song“Amazing Grace”) to fightfor the end of the slave trade in Great Britain.Success did not comequickly. But Wilberforce was not a man to give upeasily. It would take him 19 long years to reach that goal.

Ending the slave trade in the motherland was not enough for him. He continued to push for legislation that wouldabolish slavery throughoutthe British Empire. This was not to happen foranother 37 years—the edict passing its final votejust 3 days before he died. If a monument has everbeen raised to honor thevirtue of enduring patience,certainly Wilberforce’sgrave marker is one.

2

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM

© 2007 RBC MINISTRIES

A POET OFPATIENCE

WWhile the life and writings

of WilliamWilberforce have influencedmy thinking in recent years,other examples of patiencehad an effect on my lifemuch earlier. Many of theseindividuals were introducedto me by my high schoolEnglish teacher, Ada Moody. Her own love forinspirational prose andpoetry radiated from her in a manner that could notbe ignored by many of usotherwise-distracted teens.In English literature, inparticular, she worked hardto unearth the gems ofwisdom glittering beneaththeir burden of archaicwords and phrases. It wasespecially the writings ofJohn Milton that needed hercareful explanations. One ofthe first works I recall wasMilton’s sonnet “On His

Blindness.” The poem’s finalline has been with me eversince: “They also serve whoonly stand and wait.”

That line, however, isonly a summary of a greatlesson learned by thishumble servant of Christ.John Milton had becomeblind at age 43 after havingproved himself to be one of England’s most capablewriters and poets. The year his blindness becametotal was the same year that Oliver Cromwellunseated King Charles I.Cromwell championedresponsible freedom of thepress that allowed Puritanwriters like Milton to freelypublish their convictions

3

“They also servewho only stand

and wait.”John Milton (1608–1674)

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


of principles and faith. Now with this great newopportunity to write, Miltonwas handicapped by the loss of his eyesight. Hewondered, in grand verse,how the Lord of the universecould allow this. All hewanted was to use his talentto serve God. How couldGod demand his labor butdeny the “light” by which he needed to work?. . . but Patience, to preventthat murmur, soon replies,

“God doth not need either man’s work or his own gifts;

who best bear His mildyoke, they serve Him best.

His state is kingly; thousands at His bidding

speed and post o’er land andocean without rest;

they also serve who onlystand and wait.”

By careful reflection onwords and people of theBible, John Milton learnedJob’s lesson: We are notindispensable to God. His

ways transcend ours, His purposes trump ours,His will triumphs over ours.Personified patience holdson to this lesson with a faith that understands howblessed we are in our lifeunder the sun because God is sovereign.

God allowed Milton to live quietly, reflectively,and patiently for 22 moreyears—years during whichsome of his greatest workwas done: the writing of the epic moral history ofmankind found in ParadiseLost and Paradise Regained.In the final stanza of his lastsignificant poem, “SamsonAgonistes,” the theme ofpatience returns. Reflectingon the biblical narrative ofSamson’s ultimate sacrificein service to Jehovah, Miltonteaches once again thelesson that while we mayquestion the actions ofdivine providence, in theend His “Highest Wisdom”is shown to be supreme.

4

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


Patience reminds us thatthough “oft He seems to hide His face, [He]unexpectedly returns.”

The unequaled grandeurof well-rendered truth andspiritual wisdom that markthe endeavors of so many ofthe early masters of Englishliterature depended primarilyupon one source, the Bible.Although King James hadmade the Bible available tothe masses in 1611 throughthe publication of his Englishlanguage “AuthorizedVersion,” scholars like John Milton were able tostudy and write from theoriginal languages.

OLD TESTAMENTMEANING

TThe noun patience,though a significantancient concept in

the Hebrew Scriptures, is not found in the KingJames Version of the OldTestament. Instead we find

it as the adjective patient.It’s perhaps significant thatthe first use of the word is inone of the Bible’s early listsof the attributes of God:

The Lord passed before[Moses] and proclaimed,“The Lord, the Lord God,merciful and gracious,longsuffering, andabounding in goodnessand truth” (Ex. 34:6). The Hebrew word

translated “longsuffering” is the one most commonlyused in the Old Testament to indicate patience. ManyBible versions use theexpression “slow to anger” intranslating this Hebrew term.

The “slow to anger” ideais etched in my memoryfrom my childhood. Myfather was a good andlongsuffering man. But as children sometimes do,my siblings and I tested the limits of his patience at times, which led to somepainful discipline. Coming to Mother expecting

5

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


consolation (a readydisciplinarian herself), we’d often hear what was to become a familiar saying:“Beware the wrath of apatient man!”

That was a good lessonfor me because my dad was also a loving man. I find it interesting thatmany decades later I stillremember the threat ofpunishment, but I can’trecall any particularspanking. His discipline was adequate for the task of correction, but not sosevere that the memory ofharsh punishment wouldshort-circuit the lesson Ineeded to learn. Exodus34:6 defines a God like that.

Another way one can

gain lessons on patiencefrom the Hebrew is bylooking at the terms thatdefine its opposite. One term is variously used toindicate the concept mymother referred to: tryingone’s patience, or finallyexhausting one to the point of causing wrath orbringing about discipline.The ancient Israelites had away of doing that with God,and their prophets found itnecessary to remind themthat Jehovah’s longsufferingcould eventually end, anddiscipline would be metedout:

Then [Isaiah] said, “Hearnow, O house of David!Is it a small thing for youto weary men, but willyou weary my God also?”(Isa. 7:13). In some translations

the word weary is rendered,“try the patience of.” Yes,God’s patience can bepresumed upon too far. Yetit is enlightening to discover

6

“Beware the fury of a patient man!”

John Dryden(1631–1700)

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


that this particular passagecomes just before one of the Old Testament’s primaryprophecies about thepromised Messiah (v.14).Together the two verses tellus that the proper end oftrue patience is righteousjudgment. But God let thefull force of His wrath fall on His Son, Jesus Christ, sothat we who deserved suchjudgment could have apardon instead.

A good way tounderstand the OldTestament terms relating to patience and impatienceis to think of them as wordsrelating to “long” and“short.” Patience meanskeeping your anger in check for a long time,enduring hardship for a long time, waiting a longtime for goodness, truth, and righteousness to prevail,and striving a long time toreach perfection. Impatienceis indicated by shortness—of temper, of endurance, of

the will to wait for what is good and true and right, and of the capacity topersevere in the work ofdeveloping God-honoringcharacter and behavior.

NEW TESTAMENTMEANING

WWhen we come to the

New Testamentmanuscripts, which werewritten in Greek, it’s a littleeasier to find nouns thatrelate more directly to theconcept of patience. The two primary Greek wordsused commonly for patienceare differentiated by theirreference point: One appliesto patience regarding thingsand circumstances; the other relates to patience in reference to people.

Interestingly, the Greek term that relates to God’s patience is almostuniversally the one thatrefers to people. One Bible

7

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


commentator points out that because God made allthings He can do with themwhat He wants, when Hewants. He really doesn’tneed patience with thingsand circumstances as you and I do. We can’t doanything directly aboutmany of the matters that try our patience. They’remostly beyond our power to manipulate or control as God can. But God doespractice great patiencetoward people, not becauseHe can’t compel us to doHis will but because Helovingly respects the will ofthose He has made in Hisown likeness. God patientlywaits for us to voluntarilyrespond to the leading ofHis Spirit. It is this sameendurance that the apostlePaul had in view when hewrote:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,of whom I am chief.However, for this reason

I obtained mercy, that inme first Jesus Christ mightshow all longsuffering[patience], as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him foreverlasting life (1 Tim. 1:15-16).One of the most soul-

stirring of all passages usingthis human-oriented Greekterm for God’s patience isfound in the apostle Peter’ssecond letter:

The Lord is not slackconcerning His promise,as some count slackness,but is longsuffering[patient] toward us, notwilling that any shouldperish but that all shouldcome to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).Paul, recognizing

the importance of patienceas a godly attribute, held up his own practice of it as an example to one of his protégés. In a letter to a young pastor named Timothy, Paul

8

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


used both of the commonGreek terms for patience:

You have carefullyfollowed my doctrine,manner of life, purpose,faith, longsuffering[patience with people],love, perseverance[patience with things and circumstances],persecutions, afflictions,which happened to me atAntioch, at Iconium, atLystra—what persecutionsI endured. And out ofthem all the Lord deliveredme (2 Tim. 3:10-11).Another Greek word

less commonly translated as “patience” indicates thatlongsuffering with people isassociated with an attitudeof gentleness and humility.This is the word found inJames 3:17.

The wisdom that is fromabove is first pure, thenpeaceable, gentle [humblypatient], willing to yield,full of mercy and goodfruits, without partiality

and without hypocrisy.Most biblical terms

in reference to patienceindicate that it is anattribute with shoes on—actively working andpersevering toward a God-honoring end. It works whileit waits. But a few of the

words in the originallanguages remind us thatgodly patience involves

9

“Have courage forthe great sorrows

of life and patiencefor the small ones;

and when you have laboriously

accomplished yourdaily task, go tosleep in peace.God is awake.”

Victor Hugo(1802–1885)

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


more than enduring thepassing of time. It alsomeans waiting on God intimes of deep trouble. Itcarries an attitude of faiththat God is in control, so we can bring our anxieties to Him. William Wilberforcedemonstrated thehardworking, enduring work of patience. JohnMilton’s attitude toward his “untimely” blindnessdemonstrates for us thegodly attitude of gentlehumility we should havewhen all we can do is wait.

ITS ULTIMATEMEANING

TThe 1955 play Waiting For Godotby Irish playwright

and existentialist SamuelBeckett is considered bysome literary critics to be the defining play of the 20th century. It features two individuals who are waiting for an

apparently important butunidentified person namedGodot who never shows up.The characters idle theirtime away musing over theapparent meaninglessness of human existence. And the fact that the awaitedindividual never comes isfitting. At the end of the firstact, one of the characterssays, “Well, shall we go?”The other assents. But asthe curtain descends, theyare seen not moving—stillwaiting. This philosophicaldrama is a picture of thedespair of a humanity that merely exists withoutmeaning or purpose. This, of course, is the primaryconclusion of the philosophyof existentialism popular inthe 1950s—and more or less foundational to currentpostmodernism.

Though the whole play is about waiting, noone would characterize the behavior of the twocharacters as patient. True

10

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


patience involves waiting,but it is not just waiting; it’swaiting on purpose. WhileBeckett claimed that the“Godot” waited for in hisplay did not symbolize God, the universal core ofexistentialism is uncertaintyabout the existence of God.But patience, at its heart, is faith in the existence, the compassion, and thepromises of God. From thefirst book to the last, theBible offers us glimpses offaithful patience—waiting for God—by people who trusted Him and His Word. They determined topersevere and endure to theend because God is thereand He is good.

Both the Old and New Testament words forpatience and the examplesof patience indicate that this virtue has two legs—endurance and perseverance.These aspects reflect twoimportant realities aboutpatience. Patience will in

some instances stand stillwith firm resolve to hold onto the truth. Such patientendurance marked the life of the apostle Paul. Hewas imprisoned numeroustimes (see Acts 16), and inthose times he could do littlebut wait in faith for God toact.

Yet Paul also had theother leg of patience, that ofperseverance. Perseveranceis patience on the move. Itmarks those who activelycontinue in a work they’reconvinced is God’s calling.Perhaps even moresignificant, however, ispersevering in a mundanework that seems on thesurface to have little godlypurpose. It’s faithfully going on with life, trustingthat if you do your workhonestly and well with agood attitude and gentlespirit, you are indeed serving your God.

A prime biblical example of such patience

11

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


is Joseph (Gen. 37–50). Thestory of Joseph is one of thelongest and most dramaticnarratives of the Bible. Afterbeing sold into slavery byhis cruel and conspiringbrothers, he was transportedto Egypt, where he suffered,like Shakespeare’s Hamlet,“the slings and arrows ofoutrageous fortune.”

If anyone had a reason to become bitter, to harborhatred, to lose faith in God,Joseph certainly did. Onecould indeed picture Josephdelivering the famousexistential “to be or not tobe” soliloquy of Hamlet inwhich the troubled Daneponders whether or not tokill himself because of the“whips and scorns of time.”Hamlet enumerates the very difficulties suffered by Joseph: “the oppressor’swrong, the proud man’s[insults], . . . the law’s delay,the insolence of office, andthe spurns” that unworthilycome upon one who must

just bear it all patiently. The beauty of Joseph’s

story is that unlike Hamlet’s, it is true. In theend, Joseph’s faith and hopein God were stronger thanever. He did not resolve toseek vengeance. He didn’tdeny his faith in Jehovahand resign himself to amiserable fate and bitterend. Although he must haveexperienced deep and darkseasons of the soul, he didnot end up in despair.Instead, over and over he offered his life to God.Through a series of terriblereversals he trusted hisheavenly Father even in the service of pagan rulersand governments. And God blessed Joseph for his faith and patience inways he never could haveimagined—the eventualsalvation of his entire familyand the perpetuation ofGod’s promise to Abrahamto make of him a greatnation that would bless

12

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


the nations of the world. Think of it. One young

man’s practice of patientperseverance, in seeminglyimpossible circumstances,some 3,000 years ago,ultimately blessed you andme. His hope is now ourhope. Joseph is ultimatelyhonored in the hall of faithfound in Hebrews 11, a listof the saints of God whopersevered and enduredwith patience just aboutevery trial imaginable—because they had hope.They knew (as Jesus laterinstructed us to pray) thatGod’s kingdom would comeand His will would be done“on earth as it is in heaven”(Mt. 6:10). The full meaningof their exemplary lives wassummarized by the writer ofHebrews after he presentedhis list of the faithful:

Therefore we also, sincewe are surrounded by sogreat a cloud of witnesses,let us lay aside everyweight, and the sin

which so easily ensnaresus, and let us run withendurance [patience] therace that is set before us,looking unto Jesus, theauthor and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set beforeHim endured the cross,despising the shame, andhas sat down at the righthand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2).True patience is

anchored in hope. And our hope is grounded notonly in the much-witnessedlife, death, and resurrectionof Jesus Christ, but also in the promise of His return. French philosopherVauvenargues stated itsimply: “Patience is the art of hoping.” This truthwas elegantly stated by another English writer I learned about when my high school literatureteacher introduced us toEdward Bulwer-Lytton, a19th-century novelist, who

13

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


said, “There is one form of hope which is neverunwise, and which certainlydoes not diminish with theincrease of knowledge. Inthat form it changes itsname, and we call itpatience” (The NewDictionary Of Thoughts,Standard Book Company,1966, p.296). The writer of the letter to the Hebrewsgave us the essence of thathope:

God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which youhave shown toward Hisname, in that you haveministered to the saints,and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the fullassurance of hope untilthe end, that you do notbecome sluggish, butimitate those who throughfaith and patience inheritthe promises. For whenGod made a promise to

Abraham, because Hecould swear by no onegreater, He swore byHimself, saying, “Surelyblessing I will bless you,and multiplying I willmultiply you.” And so,after he had patientlyendured, he obtained thepromise. For men indeedswear by the greater, andan oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God,determining to show moreabundantly to the heirs ofpromise the immutabilityof His counsel, confirmedit by an oath, that by two immutable things, inwhich it is impossible forGod to lie, we might havestrong consolation, whohave fled for refuge to layhold of the hope set beforeus. This hope we have asan anchor of the soul,both sure and steadfast,and which enters thePresence behind the veil,where the forerunner has

14

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


entered for us, even Jesus (Heb. 6:10-20).James, the brother of

Jesus, also emphasized the hope in Christ that is theunderpinning of our faithand the reason for ourpatience:

Be patient, brethren, until the coming of theLord. See how the farmerwaits for the precious fruit of the earth, waitingpatiently for it until itreceives the early andlatter rain. You also bepatient. Establish yourhearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand(Jas. 5:7-8).Because the apostles

had personally met the Son of God, received breadand wine from His hands,experienced His sacrificialcompassion, touched His wounds, and seenpredictions of Jewishprophets fulfilled, these early followers of Christwere not left in an

existential quandary aboutthe One they expectantly looked for. It was not Godot

they awaited; it was God in the flesh, the One who iscoming for the “restorationof all things” (Acts 3:19-21).Patience is not a desperatewaiting in doubt, but ahopeful waiting inconfidence.

THE COMPANYPATIENCE KEEPS

IIf we learned nothing else about patience from the Bible than

what we know about thegood company it keeps, thatin itself would be profound.

15

Patience is not a desperate waiting

in doubt, but ahopeful waiting in confidence.

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


One of most significant factsabout patience is that it isfound in several Scripture“honor rolls,” lists of godlycharacter traits that peopleliving under the influence of the Holy Spirit wereintended to possess.Perhaps best known is the list of attitudes andbehaviors that mark thefollower of Christ who isacting in the power of theSpirit. In writing to thechurch in Galatia, Paul firsthighlighted characteristicsthat define those who willnot “inherit the kingdom of God.” He set them inopposition to the attributesthat identify true followers of Christ—the ultimatekingdom inheritors:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering[patience], kindness,goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control.Against such there is no law (Gal. 5:22-23).

While this accounting of honorable attributesreadily comes to mind to those familiar with theScriptures, there are otherlesser-known lists that reveal to us how highly Godregards patience, whether onHis part or ours. Here are afew passages about patienceaccompanying God’slovingkindness, readiness to forgive, and commitmentto justice:

Let love be withouthypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindlyaffectionate to one anotherwith brotherly love, inhonor giving preference toone another; not laggingin diligence, fervent inspirit, serving the Lord;rejoicing in hope, patientin tribulation, continuingsteadfastly in prayer;distributing to the needs of the saints, given tohospitality. Bless thosewho persecute you; bless

16

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


and do not curse. Rejoicewith those who rejoice,and weep with those whoweep. Be of the same mindtoward one another. Donot set your mind on highthings, but associate withthe humble. Do not bewise in your own opinion(Rom. 12:9-16).

For this reason we also,since the day we heard it,do not cease to pray foryou, and to ask that youmay be filled with theknowledge of His will inall wisdom and spiritualunderstanding; that youmay walk worthy of theLord, fully pleasing Him,being fruitful in everygood work and increasingin the knowledge of God;strengthened with allmight, according to His glorious power, for all patience andlongsuffering with joy;giving thanks to theFather who has qualifiedus to be partakers of the

inheritance of the saints in the light (Col. 1:9-12).

For the love of moneyis a root of all kinds ofevil, for which some have strayed from thefaith in their greediness,and pierced themselvesthrough with manysorrows. But you, O manof God, flee these thingsand pursue righteousness,godliness, faith, love,patience, gentleness (1 Tim. 6:10-11).

But as for you, speakthe things which areproper for sound doctrine:that the older men besober, reverent, temperate,sound in faith, in love, inpatience (Ti. 2:1-2).Paul gave us an

impressive list of Christianvirtues that accompanypatience: love, joy, peace,kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, genuineness,affection, friendliness,innocence, humility,

17

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


industriousness,selflessness, spiritualfervency, hopefulness, piety,charitability, hospitality,empathy, sympathy,

agreeableness, gratefulness,righteousness, godliness,sobriety, reverence,temperance, orthodoxy.

Our Lord and His first-century followers consideredpatience to be a definingcharacter trait of those whoclaimed to be His followers.Understanding how JesusChrist is the epitome of loveand compassion, we shouldnot be surprised to find thatlove is often defined by

patience. As if to highlightthat truth, Paul used bothcommon Greek terms forpatience in his definition oflove for the troubled churchin Corinth—patience withpeople, and patience withthings and circumstances.The 13th chapter of thisletter is considered to be one of history’s classicdescriptions of love—oftenquoted from the King JamesBible in English literaturebooks. Especially significantare these verses:

Love suffers long [ispatient] and is kind; love does not envy; lovedoes not parade itself, isnot puffed up; does notbehave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks noevil; does not rejoice ininiquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things,believes all things, hopesall things, [patiently]endures all things. Lovenever fails (1 Cor. 13:4-8).

18

“Patience withothers is love.

Patience with self is hope. Patiencewith God is faith.”

Adel Bestavros

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


Simply stated, beingpatient is the behavioral way to say, “I love you.”

THE TRIALS OFPATIENCE

WWhen we come to learn that

patience is anaspect of love built on thepillars of endurance andperseverance, we realize that it is an essential virtuefor living in a fallen world on a cursed earth. ManyBible translators have rightly chosen theexpression longsufferingas the most symbolicallyaccurate term for patience.In a perfect world, like thatexperienced by Adam and Eve, patience would be meaningless. We’d beliving in a state of perpetualsatisfaction with no strugglesand no pain. One does not “endure” a joyful andpleasant experience. Nor do we “persevere” in a task

that offers no challenge.I find it fascinating

that of the heroes of faithlisted in Hebrews 11, somedemonstrated great patiencewhile others showedimpatience.

Noah is a primeexample of patience. His120-year task of building theark has to be one of history’smost amazing examples ofperseverance. Surroundedby an evil civilization thathad become violent andgodless to the core, he musthave received unendingmockery.

Abraham and Sarahare listed in Hebrews 11 aswell. Some of the facts abouttheir lives demonstrate thedire consequences ofimpatience, thoughultimately through faith they persevered—and God’s promised creation of a special “chosen people”was fulfilled through them.

Moses’ life illustratesboth impatience and

19

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


patience. All told, however,Moses demonstratesamazing perseverance andendurance—in 40-yearstints. For 40 years he kepthis faith in the one God,Jehovah, while beingeducated in the courts ofpolytheistic Egypt. In fact, itwas his belief in the God ofthe Hebrews that motivateda costly act of impatience.While agonizing over thecruel captivity of his people,he impulsively struck andkilled an Egyptian overlordwho was abusing one of theHebrews. His ancestorJoseph had prophesiedmany years earlier that Godwould free the children ofIsrael and bring them backto the land promised toAbraham (Gen. 50:24). So Moses could havepatiently trusted in thatprediction—allowing God’splan to unfold in God’s time.Because he didn’t, he spentanother 40 years enduringthe barren land of Midian—

tending sheep. We have no record that God evercommunicated directly with him during those long years. So when Goddramatically entered his life at the burning bush (Ex. 3),Moses had already spentmany years in the school of patience.

When God asked Moses to lead His peopleout of Egypt and on to their promised land, Moses soon found that he was still “in school.” Instead ofgraduating to a life of ease, Moses had to endureanother 40 years of extremetrial, hardship, and suffering.During those years Mosesgot more lessons inpatience—and impatience—than he ever wanted. Hisfrustration with the Hebrewshas been recorded for us inseveral places. One thatstands out is his irritationover their lack of faith thatGod would provide them the water they needed:

20

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


Therefore the peoplecontended with Moses,and said, “Give us water,that we may drink.” SoMoses said to them, “Whydo you contend with me?Why do you tempt theLord?” (Ex. 17:2). The Amplified Bible

translates the Hebrew wordfor “tempt” here as “try thepatience of.” One could saythat the impatience of theHebrews constantly tried thepatience of both Moses andJehovah. Later prophetsfrequently commented onthe lack of patience shownby the people of Israel—animpatience that often led toGod’s judgment. Time andagain they would speak of God’s longsufferingcompassion for His stubborn and waywardpeople, yet also with thewarning that His patiencewould not last forever.

Israel’s King David,in his reflective moments,understood well and

articulated beautifully theimportance of patience:

Rest in the Lord, and waitpatiently for Him; do notfret because of him whoprospers in his way,because of the man whobrings wicked schemes topass. Cease from anger,and forsake wrath; do notfret—it only causes harm(Ps. 37:7-8). Perhaps it is this

understanding that helped promote David to the honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11:

And what more shall Isay? For the time wouldfail me to tell of Gideonand Barak and Samsonand Jephthah, also ofDavid and Samuel andthe prophets: who throughfaith subdued kingdoms,worked righteousness,obtained promises,stopped the mouths of lions, quenched theviolence of fire, escapedthe edge of the sword, out

21

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


of weakness were madestrong, became valiant inbattle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.Women received theirdead raised to life again.Others were tortured, notaccepting deliverance, thatthey might obtain a betterresurrection. Still othershad trial of mockings andscourgings, yes, and ofchains and imprisonment.They were stoned, theywere sawn in two, weretempted, were slain withthe sword. They wanderedabout in sheepskins andgoatskins, being destitute,afflicted, tormented—ofwhom the world was notworthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains,in dens and caves of theearth (Heb. 11:32-38).The writer of Hebrews

concluded his commentsabout these mostlyunnamed heroes of the faith by recommending that we keep them all in

mind whenever we have to endure hardship—finallypointing to the ultimateexample of Jesus:

Consider Him whoendured such hostilityfrom sinners againstHimself, lest you becomeweary and discouraged inyour souls (Heb. 12:3). King David summed it

up this way: I waited patiently for theLord; and He inclined tome, and heard my cry. Healso brought me up out ofa horrible pit, out of themiry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, andestablished my steps. Hehas put a new song in mymouth—praise to ourGod; many will see it andfear, and will trust in theLord (Ps. 40:1-3).The ultimate motivation

for patience is contained inthese words of that greatpsalmist. As followers ofJesus we are sometimesgoing to have to suffer long.

22

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


We will be misunderstood.We will be taken advantageof by unprincipled people.

In it all, however, we are directed to stand firmly on the two legs ofpatience—endurance andperseverance. And don’tforget that when wepatiently wait for the Lordthrough persecution, pain,depression, boredom, andtroublesome circumstances,we may unknowingly be

leading others to Christ.Practicing patience issometimes an act ofevangelism.

THECONSEQUENCESOF IMPATIENCE

OOur discussion up to this point

may have left theimpression that patience is a great and noble virtue thatis needed only in the mostextreme and difficult timesof our lives. But the truth isthat patience is a practical,everyday virtue—one we’rerequired to practice mostlyin small, almost unnoticedways. Sadly, the meaning of simple patience is oftendramatically demonstratedby our acts of impatience.

Nearly all of us have grieved over acts ofimpatience that had direconsequences. Many yearsago, when my boys were stillyoung, I was stunned when

23

When we patientlywait for the Lord

through persecution,pain, depression,boredom, andtroublesome

circumstances, wemay unknowinglybe leading others

to Christ.

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


I heard the news about thetragic death of a neighbor.She was also the parent ofyoung children. Heading offto work one morning, shedrove out of our quietneighborhood onto a busy highway—only to be struck and killed by a car she should have waitedfor. Like so many of us,however, she was in a hurry and did not takethe time to judge the speed of the car moving toward her. Whatunintentional loss shesuffered. What horribleemotional distress thesurviving children andhusband had to strugglethrough. All they could ask was, “Why? How could such a common act of impatience have such tragic results?”

Most of our acts ofimpatience, of course, do not have such instantoutcomes. But they all dohave consequences—many

of them negatively affecting our relationships withothers. Reformer John Calvinonce painfully confessed,

“My struggles are not greateragainst my vices, which arevery great and numerous,than against my impatience;and my efforts are notwholly useless. I have not,however, been able yet to conquer that ferociousanimal” (John Calvin—HisLife, His Teaching, & HisInfluence by WilliamWileman).

Maybe if we askourselves what ourimpatience means, we’llhave a better handle on

24

“To put it in anutshell, every sin isto be traced backto impatience.”

Tertullian(c.160–225)

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


patience. Looking at my own life, I can see my actsof impatience motivated bythese selfish thoughts:• “My time is more

important than yourtime.”

• “Don’t you realize that your slowness isirritating me!”

• “Come on, I have thingsto do.” In other words,“My activities are moreimportant than yours.”

• “If I don’t hurry, I’mgoing to miss somethingimportant to me.”

• “I don’t have time to dealwith your problem.”

• “This waiting isinconvenient for me.”

• “You’re keeping me from doing something I want to do.”

• “I have to do this quickly because there’ssomething else I want to do.”

• “God’s work must bedone now, and I’m theonly one to do it.”

At its heart, impatience is one of the chief traits ofself-centeredness. And self-centeredness is a mark ofimmaturity. We are notsurprised that children wantwhat they want when theywant it, but we expectgrown-ups to have maturedto the point where they’rewilling to wait and to give oftheir time to meet the needsof others.

Unfortunately, we live ina society that all too oftendoesn’t know how to wait.Our generation has becomethe “I Want It Now”generation. We’ve becomeso accustomed to immediateself-gratification that wehave lost our appreciationfor the gift of patience. We tend to live like children looking forward to Christmas, a fact noted by Irish poet Mary Tighe: “O how impatience gainsupon the soul when the longpromised hour of joy drawsnear. How slow the tardy

25

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


moments then seem to roll”(The New Dictionary OfThoughts, Standard BookCompany, 1966, p.296).

I thank God for allowingme to live long enough tolook back and see how littleI have accomplished byimpatience. Not only doesimpatience mostly fail tobring about what I want, it often destroys my joy ingetting it. Impatience eventurns necessary negativethings into worse things.

Seventeenth-centuryEnglish bishop Jeremy Taylornoted, “Impatience turns anague [a chill] into a fever, afever to the plague, fear intodespair, anger into rage, lossinto madness, and sorrowinto frenzy” (ibid, p.295).

A later bishop, GeorgeHorne, agreed: “Adversityborrows its sharpest stingfrom our impatience” (ibid, p.296).

Here’s a list of common consequences of impatience that can no

doubt be readily added to by others who have sufferedunder its impetuous control:• Untimely death• Physical pain and

suffering• Broken dreams• Troubled personal

relationships• Stunted character growth • Compromised integrity• God’s displeasure• Missing the best of

Christlike love• Loss of the ultimate

best in pursuit of animmediate pleasureThat last consequence

reminds me of the neatlylettered sayings posted nearthe front of every classroomat the Christian university Iattended. After seeing thesewise maxims hour after hour and year after year,many of them sank in. Ithink I can still quote themall after some 40 years. One in particular sticks with me: “Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the

26

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


altar of the immediate.” If impatience does

anything, it often gives up what is lasting andsignificant for that which is fleeting and relativelymeaningless. That point was graphically illustratedfor me as a young man bypastor Charlie Shedd in his landmark book on sex,The Stork Is Dead, which he wrote for Christianyoung people.

Charlie wrote about his experience as a kidgrowing up in the AmericanSouth and planting peanuts.Because peanuts are tubersthat grow on the rootsbeneath the ground, youcan’t see how well they’redeveloping. So being animpatient kid, he decided todig them up to see how theywere doing. Well, they weredoing fine. So he shoveledthem back into the hole and tamped the ground firm. A month or so later, hewent to harvest them. How

disappointed he was. Manyof the peanuts had died andthe rest were shriveled and misshapen.

“That’s how it is with pre-marital sex,” Charliewrote. In fact, that’s apicture of the consequencesthat follow virtually everyimpatient act.

English scientist-philosopher Francis Baconrecognized the extremedanger of impatience. Hesaid, “Whoever is out ofpatience is out of thepossession of his soul.”Being a follower of Christ,Bacon was no doubtrecalling the words of Jesusto His disciples about thelast days:

27

“Don’t sacrifice the permanent onthe altar of the

immediate.”

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


You will be betrayed evenby parents and brothers,relatives and friends; andthey will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shallbe lost. By your patiencepossess your souls(Lk. 21:16-19).

THE REWARDSOF PATIENCE

BBecause patience is sucha valued attribute forthe servant of God, it

is found throughout theScriptures. Sometimes we see it in failures and loss created by humanimpatience. But mostcommonly we find it marked by its rewards.Consider the following:

Patience leads toearthly benefits. “TheLord restored Job’s losseswhen he prayed for hisfriends. Indeed the Lord

gave Job twice as much ashe had before” (Job 42:10).

Patience provides us a better end thanthe present. “The end of a thing is better than itsbeginning; the patient in spirit is better than theproud in spirit” (Eccl. 7:8).

“[God] will render to eachone according to his deeds:eternal life to those who by patient continuance indoing good seek for glory,honor, and immortality”(Rom. 2:6-7).

Patience allows us to bear fruit fromseeds of faith. “The[seeds] that fell on the good ground are those

28

“Patience is the best remedy

for every trouble.”Plautus

(c.254–184 BC)

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


who, having heard the wordwith a noble and good heart,keep it and bear fruit withpatience” (Lk. 8:15).

Patience wins theapproval of God. “Iwaited patiently for the Lord;and He inclined to me, andheard my cry” (Ps. 40:1).“What credit is it if, whenyou are beaten for yourfaults, you take it patiently?But when you do good andsuffer, if you take it patiently,this is commendable beforeGod” (1 Pet. 2:20).

Patience makes us a good example forothers. “We ourselvesboast of you among thechurches of God for yourpatience and faith in all your persecutions andtribulations that youendure” (2 Th. 1:4).

Patience perfectsour character. “Letpatience have its perfectwork, that you may beperfect and complete,lacking nothing” (Jas. 1:4).

Patience provideshealth for our souls.“By your patience possessyour souls” (Lk. 21:19).

Patience gives ushope. “Whatever thingswere written before werewritten for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

Patience providesus with God’s power.“Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;strengthened with all might,according to His gloriouspower, for all patience andlongsuffering with joy” (Col. 1:10-11).

Patience enables us to inherit God’spromises. “We desire that each one of you showthe same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you

29

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


do not become sluggish, but imitate those whothrough faith and patienceinherit the promises” (Heb. 6:11-12).

ITS ULTIMATEHOPE

TThe apostle John,known in the Bible as “the apostle Jesus

loved,” lived out many of his later years imprisonedon the rocky Isle of Patmosin the Aegean Sea. Thepictures I have seen of thisrugged and remote islandhave helped to form theimage I have in my mind of the old disciple of Jesus quietly enduring hisforced isolation, wanderingruggedly beautiful rockyshores—gazing out overstriking blue waters in the direction of Jerusalemseveral hundred miles to thesoutheast. No doubt muchof his time there was initiallyspent remembering the

events that led up to thecrucifixion and resurrectionof the Lord Jesus, whom heloved so dearly. Many yearshad passed, and John had been wearied by thesuffering and pain he hadendured to spread the wordof what he and his friendshad witnessed. I can seehim writing these wordswhich eventually becameScripture:

I, John, both your brotherand companion in thetribulation and kingdomand patience of JesusChrist, was on the islandthat is called Patmos forthe Word of God and forthe testimony of JesusChrist (Rev. 1:9).Patient endurance and

perseverance had markedhis life and the lives of hisbrothers and companions,as they had marked the lifeof Christ. But the accountJohn was about to write and send to the churches in Asia Minor directly east

30

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


of his isolated island wasastoundingly different fromthe letters he had writtenbefore about how to live and walk in the love andpatience of Jesus Christ(John’s three epistles). Thelast sight John had had ofGod the Son so many yearsbefore was that of a humble,persevering Servant beingreceived into heaven by God the Father. This was 10days before all the disciples were to be visited by Godthe Holy Spirit. John, in fact, had been worshiping in that very same Spirit onthe Lord’s Day when he was suddenly visited by hisMaster of old. This time,however, it was not a meekand mild suffering Servanthe saw. It was his glorious,conquering Savior. Johnwrote about his vision:

I turned to see the voicethat spoke with me. Andhaving turned I saw sevengolden lampstands, and inthe midst of the seven

lampstands One like theSon of Man, clothed witha garment down to the feet and girded about thechest with a golden band.His head and hair werewhite like wool, as whiteas snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace,and His voice as thesound of many waters; He had in His right handseven stars, out of Hismouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and Hiscountenance was like thesun shining in its strength.And when I saw Him, Ifell at His feet as dead.But He laid His righthand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives,and was dead, and behold,I am alive forevermore.Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and ofDeath” (Rev. 1:12-18).

31

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


Jesus continued to speak, providing anastonished John with visions of the last days.

I’m notsure how thisawe-inspiringappearance of Christaffected John’slife afterward,but one thingI believe we can beconfident of:John came tounderstandthat hispatientcontinuancein the faithwas worthevery beating,everyhumiliation,every blister,every drop of sweat, andevery tear hehad shed in service to theSavior.

Had you or I been there,we too would have come tothe same conclusion. Howthankful we can be that

everythingpatientlyendured inour life, inour world, in our workfor Christ,and in ourlove forothers willreceive theultimaterewarddramaticallyrecorded forus in theBible’s lastbook:“He whotestifies tothese thingssays, ‘SurelyI am comingquickly.’Amen. Even

so, come, Lord Jesus!”(Rev. 22:20).

32

NINE REQUISITES FORCONTENTED LIVING:

• Health enough to makework a pleasure.

• Wealth enough tosupport your needs.

• Strength to battle withdifficulties and overcomethem.

• Grace enough to confessyour sins and forsakethem.

• Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.

• Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor.

• Love enough to moveyou to be useful andhelpful to others.

• Faith enough to makereal the things of God.

• Hope enough to remove all anxious fearsconcerning the future.

— Goethe (1749–1832)

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM


Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.

Discovery Series presents the truth of Jesus Christ to the world in balanced, engaging, and accessible resources that show the relevance of Scripture for all areas of life. All Discovery Series booklets are available at no cost and can be used in personal study, small groups, or ministry outreach.

To partner with us in sharing God’s Word, click this link to donate. Thank you for your support of Discovery Series resources and Our Daily Bread Ministries.

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable Our Daily Bread Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

CLICK TO DONATE

http://ourdailybread.org/donate/

Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM Page 1 WHAT DOES HE B S ... · the epic moral history of mankind...

Documents

Transcript of Q0722 Patience pp 8/20/07 11:46 AM Page 1 WHAT DOES HE B S ... · the epic moral history of mankind...