Paul spoke in his letters in Hebrews about the need for patient endurance, in trusting that God is faithful to keep his word. He made reference to Abraham who trusted in what God had promised concerning him. “saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:14-15). Paul wanted the saints to know that God is not an unjust God and he does not ignore our good deeds. “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10).
It is easy to look at other people around you, who are being blessed and wonder if God has forsaken you. Don’t compare your circumstances to anyone as God’s timing is different for each of us. God is not biased and he does not have favourites. “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Often we imagine that because we are Christians and are serving God, that this will automatically produce material blessings. If that were the case then we could consider every wealthy person a saint.
Blessings don’t always come in the form that we expect them and we don’t see the many things that God spares us from in his mercy. There are many people who are wealthy but who don’t enjoy the peace of God. God is able to make his people wealthy and He will meet our needs when we ask him. There are seasons when our prayers are answered instantly and other times when we have to trust God while we wait.
God will keep his promise to us as we continue to trust and obey him. Don’t run ahead of God and try to make things happen in your own time. Don’t give God ultimatums to come through on your own time table with threats to stop serving him if he doesn’t. God does not respond to tantrums and we cannot push him to do anything before the time. Patience produces strength and endurance and strengthens our faith. We mature in God while we wait and develop greater wisdom in his character. The more we mature in God is the more that he can trust us to handle.
“so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about Perfect Patience.
