Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
It has been said that patience is not just about the waiting process, but how we behave during the wait. At various points in the Psalms, David commands us to wait on the Lord with strength and courage (Ps 27, 31, 40). Paul regularly comes back to the idea of ‘standing firm’ in our faith (1 Cor 15:58, 16:13, Eph 6:11-13, Phil 1:27, 4:1).
Patience is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. The Israelites weren’t very good at it, and we’ve certainly not improved with time! It seems that everything in this modern world is encouraging us to be as impatient as possible – the internet, smart phones, 4G data, online shopping, online banking. It is widely recognised that our concentration spans are not what they used to be and that our addiction to our online gadgets is what’s causing our increased agitation.
Am I getting agitated with God? Or am I firmly trusting in who He says He is? I am grumbling and moaning or am I choosing to courageously be still in the hustle of this ever connected world? Am I trying to hurry God to act or am I choosing to be strengthened by His word, choosing to wait on His timing?
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” – Exodus 14:14
Take some time to be still before the Lord today.