Patience - Willing to Wait

by Tiffany S.
from Virtuous Daughters, September 2016~Volume 16, Number 6

A Study in God-Honoring Character

Patient in Waiting for God to Work/Direct/Answer Prayer/Etc...

Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him…”
Why should we rest in the Lord as we wait for Him?
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Is it possible to wait for the Lord with an impatient heart?
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Read Luke 2:40-52 about Jesus’ childhood. His earthly ministry did not begin until He was in His 30s. Does this seem like a long time to wait? What do the Scriptures indicate He was doing during this time of waiting? (See Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.)
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Patient in Suffering/Trials:
James 5:7-11 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh….Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
  
List two Scriptural examples of Job’s patience in affliction:
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How was the end of the Lord pitiful and of tender mercy?   (Hint: see Job 42:12-17)
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Tell how Joseph was patient in affliction.
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How did he also experience the Lord’s mercy as he faithfully endured?
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Name two other Old Testament saints who were patient in affliction:
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What are some practical ways they faithfully endured?
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How did the Lord bountifully bless them in the end?
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Patient in Daily Living:
    Matthew 10:38-39 “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.”
   Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
    Sometimes it is most difficult to be patient in the daily grind of life—waiting for your sister to finish in the shower; waiting for the store clerk to find the answer to your urgent question; or waiting for your work to be recognized and rewarded. However, these are some of the best ways to develop patience in our lives. Outline three areas that you are particularly prone toward impatience, and write out practical ways that you would like to cultivate patience in these areas, by God’s grace.
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Read James 5:7-11 again and think about the gardener. What would happen if he decided to harvest his crops early? Why is it necessary for him to wait until the appointed time?
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Think about a time you plunged headlong into something before it was God’s timing; what were the ensuing consequences? How was this demonstrated in the life of Abraham? How does his impatience continue to affect God’s people today?
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“God is a wise husbandman, ‘Who waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it.’ He cannot gather the fruit till it is ripe.
He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory. Waiting in the sunshine of His love is what will ripen the soul for His blessing. Waiting under the cloud of trial, that breaks in showers of blessings, is as needful. Be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. God waited four thousand years, till the fullness of time, ere He sent His Son. Our times are in His hands; He will avenge His elect speedily; He will make haste for our help, and not delay one hour too long.” ~Andrew Murray