Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Value of Patience

Waiting is hard to do. We always want the answer now. We always want the problem fixed now. We always want the promised gift now. And the answer we often receive is wait.

When we ignore this call to wait we pay a price. We miss the lessons and experiences that happen during the time of patience. We miss the important lessons of obedience and are left with the sour fruit of disobedience.

Today, wait upon the Lord. He knows the struggle. He knows the answer. He knows what He desires to teach you.

Psalm 25 (ESV)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.

2 comments:

Maria said...

Over the years I have found three scripture passages that have helped me to have patience and I repeat as much as necessary to get through anxious times.

Psalm 37:7 I will rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.

Isaiah 40:31 And they that wait upon the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

James 1:2-4

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

I'm not saying I am always totally patient as I should be, but I have found that when I focus on these verses I am calmer and I know God is in control of whatever the situation is and then I don't worry. Without worry I am more patient.

Thank you, Pastor Brandon for sharing your insights and motivating me to think deeper and reflect on your words.

Brandon Porter said...

Great, Maria, those are some wonderful passages to meditate on. They are short enough that memorizing them wouldn't be too difficult.

bp