Patience

Saturday, ‎December ‎24, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Luke 2:11-14

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Readings: HABAKKUK 1-3 REVELATION 15

Patience

Of all the gifts and fruit of the Spirit with which the Lord has blessed us, the one we need the most of in our lives is patience. So much depends on our ability to wait. So many calamities have befallen mankind because of the inability to wait.

Including patience ,we have 3 of the fruits of the spirit yet to ponder here at Christmas time. I suggested that along with the scripture naming these 'fruit' that we consider them gifts-true and perfect gifts.

James 1:17 ►Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

We must consider the patience of our God. He sees us come into the world with the personalities He gave each one. He knows our strengths and weaknesses and for some waits almost our entire lives before we come to Him or for a lot of us to return to Him from a rebellious turn. Why does He wait? He loves us and desires with His divine and perfect heart to be gracious and have compassion on us.

Isaiah 30:18

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,

And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

How blessed are all those who long for Him.

He is our perfect example because "love is patient", 1 Corinthians 13:4.

God never gives up on us-ever-

Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The world also has a definition of patience-but, again, has little to do with the definition in the heart of God. The world runs on its own clock. It has to be done on time or it's not right...by their standards.

2 Peter 3:9 ►The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is not slow-as a matter of fact, God is waiting on us as He gives mankind every chance to turn to Him. At the same time God is giving the believer every chance to do all that God has prepared for the believer to do.

Time is in God-God is not in time. He is patience. He is the very definition of patience.

Love is patient-patience is love. Learning to wait on God and trust His heart-this is learning to use the gift of God's patience. There is so much for us to learn about being patient as God defines it. God is as patient as He is faithful and His faithfulness is in His divine perfection as His love for us is perfect.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

My patience wavers as does my faith. Forgive me. Strengthen my ability to wait on Your perfect plan for me.

Most patient and loving God,

In the name of Jesus,

Amen