Be PatientSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Patience means to wait for God to perfect His will in our lives. It means to accept all good and bad happenings in our lives as God's will. It also means to wait for God to act in answer to our prayers. Be patient always. When I was a young boy, I used to wander all the time in the forest area around our home. Whenever a thorn pricked in my foot, I would reach home limping, making a great fuss before my mother. I would ask her to pull out the thorn, but she would find it difficult and take much time to pull it out. How much ever I scream, she would not panic. She would remove it carefully with much patience.
"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:4)
Dear friend, our life is full of thorns. That is why God tells us, "Have patience! Let patience have its perfect work." We have a perfect example that defines patience in Revelation 6:9-11. In these verses, Apostle John who was exiled in the Island of Patmos describes the souls of those who had died as martyrs for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held. Sometimes, we think that once our spirits leave our bodies, there is no form for them. But that is not true.
"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" (Matthew 17:1-5)
It was the spirit of Moses which appeared by the side of the Lord Jesus. Peter was able to identify him as Moses. Even after we die, our spirits retain the physical form that we have today. Thus, John saw the dead souls under the throne of Jesus Christ and they were crying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10)
"Then a white robe was given to each of them and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." (Revelation 6:11)
Dear friend, we are often so much upset, because God does not answer our prayers immediately. He has His own reasons for doing so. Probably, He is waiting for something more of His will to be fulfilled in our lives.
Once, I lived in a town called Cuddalore. There is another town 13 kms. away from there, named Pondicherry. Lots of buses were plying between both these towns. One particular driver used to bring the bus to the bus terminus and say that the bus had to start at quarter past eight and that all the passengers should be in the bus by half past seven itself. He would go on honking the horn, shouting, "We are starting now! We are starting now!" So, everybody would hurriedly jump into the bus. But he would not move the bus. He would start only when all the seats were filled up. Even if one seat was left unoccupied, he would sound the horn, testing the patience of all the passengers. He would say, "Yes, we are moving now! Be patient."
God also seems to say, "You are asking for revenge! But the roll of martyrs is not yet complete. So, be patient for some more time." 'Patience' is simply the spirit of waiting until God acts. Secondly, it means to accept all that happens in our lives as God's will.
When we read Job 1:21,22; 2:10, we see that Job lost all his ten children, wealth and health. He said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord took away." And when his wife came to argue with him, he said patiently, "We received good things from God; should we grumble when we receive bad things?" That is why in James 5:11, the Holy Scripture says, "You have heard of the patience of Job."
When I was working in the State Bank of India, once a man came to see me. He said, "Sir, my eldest son has written the test for a clerical job in your bank. You know my financial problems. Oh, if he can get this job, it will be marvellous!" I told him that if he passed the written exam, I could help him. He was sitting there in great excitement, as I telephoned the concerned department to find out whether the boy had passed. They said, "No, Sir!" I was wondering how to break this news to the father, for I feared that the news might break his heart. Finally, I said slowly, "Sir, probably your son would pass the next time." He understood what I said. He asked, "Sir! has he failed in the exam?" I slowly said, "Yes," and immediately I said, "Do not worry, we can train him up for the next exam." I thought that the man would break down and cry. But he said, "Sir, it is God's will. Probably, God does not want him to serve in the State Bank." I wondered how he could remain so calm!
Dear friend, that is patience. Whether it is good or bad, whatever happens to us, if you take it as God's will, that is patience. The Bible says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Yes, all things turn out for our good when we wait in patience. Be of good cheer! Patience means to wait for God to act in answer to our prayers. Be patient always.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Grant me patience and the ability to do my duty correctly and perfectly. Teach me to face all the trials and tribulations patiently and to overcome them successfully. Help me to seek first Your will and do everything accordingly. I give You all the glory. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |