Let’s go back to yesterday’s list. . .
“I waited patiently for the Lord. . .” Psalm 40:1
“Be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” James 5:7
“We wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
Romans 15:4
“Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.” Hebrews 6:15
“The fruit of the Spirit is. . . patience. . .” Galatians 5:22
“We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities. . .” 1 Corinthians 6:4
“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults. . .” Ephesians 4:2
The help we need to improve our waiting skills awaits in each verse! First, if we know God at all, we know He is never late, always on time, and always keeps His promises. I become a better waiter when I meditate on those realities while I’m waiting, rather than focusing upon the inconvenience or problem at hand. There is great comfort in the attributes of God.
Second, if we know ourselves at all, we know that we often are late, sometimes forgetful, and many times have not kept our own promises. I become a better waiter when I meditate on those realities while I’m waiting, rather than focusing upon the person who has kept me waiting or has inconvenienced me.
Third, if we know the Bible at all, we know that Romans 5:3 tells us to rejoice in our trials because “tribulation produces patience” (most translations have “endurance” or steadfastness, but it’s the same idea as “patience” in the original). This means that even when we catch ourselves in a mini-tantrum, we can take a deep breath, and thank the Lord that He is teaching us patience and endurance.
But this “works” only when we make it work. We must allow patience to have its way with us (James 1:2-4), and that takes us back to our being dependent upon the Lord and His promises, and remembering our own shortcomings and imperfections.
So, if you are an average or even poor waiter, there is hope for you, as there is hope for all of us who are in Christ Jesus. I’ll leave you with this reminder of God’s own patience with us:
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding with love.”
Psalm 103:8