Practice Patience
2 Samuel 2:4b-7 NIV
When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
Throughout scripture we see example after example of God teaching people patience. God promised Abraham that he would father a great nation when Abraham was 75 years old and childless. He had to wait 25 years for the promise to be fulfilled through the birth of Isaac. David was a mere boy when he was first anointed as God's chosen King of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13 NIV), but he had to go through many years of war and hardship before this promise was fulfilled. The sad part about it is that these very human people many times got impatient and tried to take matters into their own hands. The results of Abraham's and Sarah's impatience can still be seen today in the Middle East. We would not even be thinking about a war with Iraq or the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel - or the War on Terror - if Abraham and Sarah had practiced more patience!
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The results of our own impatience might not be so world-shattering, but they can still be seen. Remember, our timetable is not God's timetable. His timing is perfect. Ours is imperfect. His timing carries out his perfect will. Ours usually messes things up. He wants us to learn patience. We want patience, but we want it right now!
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:7-8 NIV
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