I have never been known for my patience. I want it now and I want it my way. It has been a struggle throughout my life. Because of my impatient nature I have missed out on opportunities, harmed relationships and denied myself peace in my own heart.
Patience touches all aspects of our lives. It is key to good relationships with people and with God. Ephesians 4:1-3, highlights that we are called “to walk worthy of our vocation wherewith ye are called”. We are to be longsuffering (patient) and forbear one another in love. Patience with people is hard and at times overwhelming. Exercising patience builds trust in relationships, peace and unity.
Patience development also builds our belief that God is in absolute control of circumstances in our lives. When we wait on Him, our belief is strengthened. We learn and trust that His Will and His control in our lives is absolute and for our best.
Patience is not something humans are born with. But without it we are not able to mature in our journey with Jesus. It is something that we spend our whole lives hopefully developing. Colossians 3:12 says “Put on therefore, (clothe yourself) as the elect of God holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, (a heart of), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering.”
This verse to “put on”, means an action. Developing patience, well takes time and yes patience with yourself. Patience is also about responsibility. You are held accountable for how you treat others. Your testimony is proved by your actions and words.
When I first started reading up on patience to write this, I had a different direction I wanted to go. I wanted to write about patience in trials. But as I read and listened to sermons, I understood the full weight of the patience I was to share. How it is key to our personal peace and maturity in Christ. I was personally touched with this aspect of patience, and I learned a lot about myself and where I need to focus more. Our choices to exercise patience affects not just us, but our relationships, our futures and the opportunities ahead.
I was led to the account of Saul in the book of 1 Samuel and how his lack of patience and disobedience changed the trajectory of his life and relationship with God.
In the book of Samuel, the anointing of Saul and then David’s is chronicled. The Israelites wanted a king like all the other kingdoms. So, God allowed it and chose Samuel, the prophet to anoint Saul as king. After two years of reign, Saul was embroiled in battles with the other kingdoms and particularly the Philistines. As they were preparing for battle, Samuel instructed Saul on what God had told him to do. Saul was to wait for seven days for Samuel to return at which time they would offer sacrifice to the Lord and the battle would be delivered to Saul.
During the seven days the “Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.”1 Samuel 13:5. When the people saw this they were distressed and began to hide in the caves, pits and thickets. Some of them crossed the Jordan to meet with Saul. “And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed.” (verse 8) Notice this verse notes that it is the seventh day.
Now when the people showed up and told him that the Philistines were camped around them and that the people had gone into hiding, Saul makes the decision to take matters into his own hands. Saul commands them to bring the offerings and he took the role of priest and did the sacrifices himself. Verse 10, as soon as he made the offerings, guess who shows up? Yes, Samuel. Saul only needed to have faith and patience and wait just a little longer.
Saul goes to meet Samuel. Samuel asks him what he’s done. Verse 11, Saul answers that the people were scattered, the Philistines were camped at Michmash, and Samuel hadn’t arrived so being afraid that they would attack, I “forced myself” and offered burnt offerings.
Because of Saul’s lack of patience, and disobedience, the spiral of his kingship began. Soon after, David was anointed as the next king. As we read on, we see that not only did Saul lose the anointing of God, but he also lost his mind, his son and kingdom.
That one act of disobedience born out of lack of patience destroyed Saul’s future.
It is a sobering lesson in how lack of patience leads to lack of trust and disobedience in our lives. And we know that our actions affect others around us.
The good news is that we have a forgiving, loving God that wants to see us mature and trust him. In this study I came to recognize some issues in my life and relationships that are directly impacted by my choices to follow my own desires and not those of God. My lack of self-control or possible just ignoring it, I made decisions because I did not want to exercise patience and a desire to be obedient to the Lord. I wanted it in my time and my way.
There is no way to change the choices or the impact of them, but I can, and you can too, move forward from this moment to “clothe yourself” with a heart of kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering. Repent and ask for forgiveness and forgive yourself. You may still be living out the consequences of your choices, but you can make better choices going forward.
Are there issues in your life that you struggle to exercise patience? A relationship? The breakthrough for a child or friend? The job search?
Trust in God. Have patience, allow it to mature and strengthen your relationship with Jesus. Sometimes, you will be discouraged and think that it is never coming but it is. What could Saul have done during his reign if he had just waited a few more hours?
Your breakthrough may be just that far away. Don’t give in
Patience is not easy. You weren’t born with it, and it is not part of the fleshly design. But it is part of your spiritual life if you chose to cultivate it. Patience is much more than just waiting. It is an integral part of learning to trust and obey God.
Typist for Jesus
Mustard Seeds, Modern Parables 