109/19/10

The Power of Patience

Psalm 40:1-6 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

The Power of Patience 1 st Samuel 24 Consider His circumstances Had the opportunity to kill Saul in the cave Yet he waited patiently for the Lord  Even though he may have yearned to be relieved from Saul’s relentless pursuit  Psalm 130:5 “My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.”

The Power of Patience 1 st Samuel 26 David had the opportunity to kill Saul as he slept Again he was urged to strike and end the suffering Yet he waited patiently for the Lord  Took his own advice Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”  Was David simply immune to impatience?  No, he too struggled with impatience at times  1 st Sam. 25:32-35

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us Avoid Sin How many sins are simply the result of impatience? Trying to take shortcuts to “happiness”  Compromising to gain wealth/security  Honesty in completing taxes  Not waiting until marriage to be intimate  We have response-ability

The Power of Patience Stimulus Response – Ability Response

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us Avoid Sin Shortcuts to “happiness?”  Seeking revenge on those who have wronged us  “Cutting them down to size” with gossip  Misrepresenting facts to reflect poorly on them  Rom. 15:4-6 “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, … that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Also 1 st Cor. 6:7)

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us To Listen #361 In His Time James 1:18-20  “So then my beloved brethren be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  It takes patience to listen  God is inoculating us against problems that come from not listening to each other.

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us To Listen Proverbs 18:13 “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”  “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” – S. Covey Galatians 6:1 “in a spirit of gentleness…”  Even people in error need to be heard  Earnestly listening to someone can go a long way toward helping them be reconciled to God

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us To Take Effective Action Patience should not be confused with inaction  Provides time for prayer and reflection to choose the best course of action at the right time  James 5:7-8 “The farmer waits for the precious fruit…”  He must first sow at the right season  “You also be patient. Establish your heart…”  Patience requires us to be steadfast – A very active effort!

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us To Take Effective Action Impatience may be borne of frustration at not being able to quickly better our circumstances Perhaps we are focusing on changing the wrong things 2 nd Peter 1:5-6 “giving all diligence, add…patience” 1:8 “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We should be patiently working to become better servants, friends and evangelists

The Power of Patience Patience Helps Us To Do God’s Work In God’s Way Hebrews 10:36 “You have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” This promise is not for those who do man’s will When we see men’s innovations regarding the work and worship of the church apparently bearing fruit, we can be tempted No short cuts - The ends do not justify the means

1409/19/10