Patience Can Be Acquired!

In ancient wars, it wasn't unusual for a powerful army to win very quickly. But it also wasn't unusual for a battle to take a long time - especially when besieging a city, it could take years. Those soldiers needed to have a lot more than strength, they needed staying power. Patience props up your faith when you don't immediately get what God promised you.

One only has to read Romans 2:7 to learn the importance of patience. It is a must! We also see times in our lives when we fail to exhibit patience; like the times we...

• Stopped praying, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
• Grew weary in well-doing, Galatians 6:9.
• Might have failed to remain faithful, Hebrews 6:11.

You and I know we don’t always have patience, so how do we develop it? How do we acquire patience?

First,  patience begins with obedience.We make a decision to be patient as in: They continued stedfastly, Acts 2:42;  In order to gain the victory we must be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding…, 1 Corinthians 15:58; We must be faithful unto death, Revelation 2:10; Colossians 1:23; 2 Peter 3:17. Additionally, obedience is coupled with a promise, Revelation  3:21; 21:7.

Secondly, patience continues with edification. Paul’s example edifies us. Look at what he went through and remained patient, 2 Corinthians 11:24ff. His example also edifies us by: His attitude, “crucified with Christ, Galatians 2:20; His expectation having been patient, 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Paul says it’s up to us because nothing else can separate us from the love of God, Rom. 8:35-39. Also, Christ’s example edifies us... We are to run with patience, “looking to Jesus” who ran with patience, Hebrews 12:1-3. Why, even our brethren today edify us!

Thirdly, patience finishes with trial. You see, Christians ARE going to be persecuted, 2 Timothy 3:12. That’s just the way it is. The Bible says that, “It takes trial to make a Christian perfect or complete in Christ”, James 1:2-4.

Without patience, there would have been no “father Abraham” without “get thee out of thy country… unto a land that I will shew thee” (Genesis 12:1) or “Take now thy son … and offer him there” (Genesis 22:2). There would have been no “prophet Moses” without standing before Pharaoh (Exodus. 5:1) or the wilderness wanderings. Need some more examples? How about the following: There would have been…

• No Joshua without the battles in Canaan.
• No David without Goliath and his flights from Saul.
• No Daniel without the lions.
• No apostles without persecutions; or
• No Jesus without the cross.                                                                                                               

In closing, my friends, the question that is certain to be asked by many is, "How does one acquire patience?" According to what we read in the Bible, one acquires patience...

• By obedience.
• By edification.
• By trial.

Although circumstances in your life may seem bleak at present, there's a better day coming. Beyond the world of sight there is a Judge keeping watch over His own, waiting to answer every plea and avenge every wrong. God hates injustice and will vindicate us in due time. Just remain patient....

Prayer: Father in heaven, surround me with good and righteous company. Protect my character and name. By the Holy Spirit I receive your grace. Give me the wisdom to know when to flee and when to stand as well as when to be silent. In the name of Jesus I praise you this day, Amen. 

God loves you!

KayCee