But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15, ESV)
Patience. What a daunting word for some of us. For me, if I’m honest, it is a very intimidating and discouraging word. I am sure a few of you can relate to this. In this two-part devotion, today I want to lay out for you a little bit about myself and the hope I have in Jesus. In the second part tomorrow, I want to look at some helpful focal points that I look to in helping me secure my patience in the Lord.
So, what exactly does this word patience mean?
According to dictionary.com, patience is defined in these ways: “The bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation or the like; quiet, steady perseverance.” Ouch! I didn’t realize how impatient a person I really was until now!
Our God, our Eternal Father, is perfect in his patience. Is this hard to believe and see at times? Absolutely. Take the season I am in right now for an example.
I deal with kidney stones fairly regularly. Being only 27 years old, I have dealt with my share of them. They are painful, a real thorn in my side, and cause much stress, discomfort, exhaustion, emotional pain, and often can put a strain on my spiritual life.
I have one of these bad boys as I write this. The doctor is hopeful it will pass and surgery will not be required. So I am in a season of despair, fatigue (emotional and spiritual), and in much pain. The very things I want to encourage you with, brothers and sisters, I am trying to grasp and hold on to myself.
If you are in Christ, if you have surrendered your will over to the hands and care of God, then God has shown you both mercy and grace in a perfect way. He has shown mercy to you in that he did not give to you what you ultimately deserve. (If you are reading this, you are a sinner. Sinners earn and deserve hell. Therefore, you deserve hell). However, he also shown you grace in that he grants to you what you do not deserve. Eternal life through Jesus is freely given to those who trust and put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Especially during times of pain and distress, these words that I just wrote and you just read cannot be read enough. Do you realize, brothers and sisters, the ramifications of these truths? God did for us through his Son Jesus what we could not do for ourselves. He allows sinners like you and me to walk free, to be holy and blameless in his sight, and eventually to spend eternity with him in perfection! This is true patience; God showing his grace and mercy to sinners like you and me.
This is good news! This is where we find our joy and satisfaction in all things. When times are good or when a kidney stone hits you out of nowhere, this is where the hope of Jesus is found. It never changes. It never ceases. Thanks be to God for his loving mercy and grace!
—
Rosson Anderson
February 2, 2016
Copyright 2016 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.