In our world today, everything is fast moving. People seem to be in a continual hurry, speed is the key word. Cars and airplanes are made to go faster and faster, to save time; every minute is so precious.  Even Christians are caught in this mad rush—so many things to do and to take care of, and not enough time for everything.

In the business world everything is in a great hurry. It is a common saying, “I need this yesterday.” Machinery and equipment are constantly being invented to save time, to do the work faster. This feverish pace is so catching, that even when there is no rush, people are not able to slow down.

The golden attribute of patience is hardly ever seen anymore. Yet, what does the Bible say? “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. Another translation says, “Here patience is required of the saints.”

How important is patience to us? “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36

“But on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

Without divine patience, we cannot bear fruit to the Lord.

Often people think that the Lord is slow in answering their prayers and giving justice to them, and they get impatient and do something about the problems themselves; or they seek human help, because their faith is not strong enough to wait for the Lord. The Israelites of old constantly murmured against the Lord; they complained and became impatient; they even wished to return back to Egypt, because 40 years in the wilderness was too long to their liking. They murmured about the lack of water, the lack of food, and the lack of protection, yet all these things were provided; they did not go thirsty, nor hungry, but they were afraid of the future. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” He did not teach us to pray for tomorrow, but just for one day at a time.

Jesus purposely led the people of Israel to the Red Sea with the Egyptian army behind them, to test their faith, and to test their patience. In the last moment, He opened the way through the sea. He could have opened the way earlier, but then they would not have learned the lesson of trust and patience.

Noah was in the ark for seven days and no rain had fallen yet. God could have sent the rain on the first day when the door was closed; but no, He had to test the patience of Noah and his family.

Abraham could have had his son born many years earlier, but again God was testing his faith and patience,

that when he was 100 years old and his wife 90 years old, finally Isaac was born. God had made a promise to Abraham that his descendants shall be as the sand of the sea, but because he had no son yet, he thought that he must help God, and took to himself another wife, which resulted in much grief and sorrow to him and his wife.

Jacob thought that things were going wrong, “my brother will receive the firstborn blessing, and I am left out.” He questioned, “Should Esau inherit the firstborn blessing, who is so careless and indifferent?” In order to help God, he lied to his father to deceive him. Was this necessary? Who gave the blessing? Was it not God, by the Holy Spirit? God did not need Jacob’s deception to give the firstborn blessing to him. Much sorrow came to Jacob from his mistake. For twenty years he had to suffer in a strange country.

David writes, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

David had learned patient waiting; after he had been anointed as the future king, yet he had to wait 20 years, and be in danger for his life, seeking protection in the mountains, until suddenly he was called to the throne to be the king.

David writes of his experience in waiting patiently for the Lord. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7. “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 37:9. “Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Psalm 37:34

Solomon also writes, “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and He shall save thee.” Proverbs 20:22

Many times we suffer because of those who do not like us. They make plans against us because of jealousy, hatred, and covetousness. And those who hurt us seem to get away with it. Yet in due time, God will judge and repay to everyone according to their deeds.

Daniel was cast into the lion’s den because of jealousy, but the Lord turned it into victory for Daniel, and into defeat for his enemies. If we wait on the Lord, He will not forsake us.

This happened also to Mordecai and Haman. Haman planned to destroy Mordecai, but the Lord turned defeat into victory for Mordecai, and Haman suffered defeat. God made a promise to faithful Abraham, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

David had been let down by his brothers, by his friends, and by King Saul, but he waited upon God, and trusted in His salvation. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:1, 5

Even that David had committed sin he still waited upon God for mercy. “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2

God well knows our needs, and He has promised to provide us all that is necessary, if we wait upon Him patiently. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29–31

God, who tested the patience of Noah, Abraham, Job, and the people of Israel, will today test our patience, and if we prove ourselves to be patient to the end, He will save us, He will deliver His people.

“The Lord frequently places us in difficult positions to stimulate us to greater exertion. In His providence special annoyances sometimes occur to test our patience and faith. God gives us lessons of trust. He would teach us where to look for help and strength in time of need.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 116

God will deliver us if we patiently wait for Him and, at the same time, hasten to obey His calling. Amen.

Timo Martin