May 18th | Patient

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

PATIENT

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  

While in the wilderness, the Children of Israel often displayed an ungratefulness and lack of faith in Yahweh. You would think that the manner in which God freed them from their Egyptian bondage would have caused them to have complete faith and trust in Him. If not their escape from Egypt, then the crossing of the Red Sea should have indelibly inscribed in their hearts God’s faithfulness and commitment to take them safely to the promised land. However, the mark of Israel was their impatience, constant complaining and lack of trust in God. 

The third Christian virtue found in Ephesians 4:2 is patience. The dictionary defines patience as the capacity to “tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” God is patient as the Psalmist wrote, “But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry (patient) and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15 New Living Translation) Colossians 3:13-15 exhorts you, a Christian, to be patient with others, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” 

In your relationships with your fellow human beings, patience is indeed a virtue. Your patience flows out of God’s love that He has poured into your heart. “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:34) In the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, St. Paul says that “love is patient and kind. . .”   

Thomas Winger says, “patience is a divine quality which does not condemn sinful weaknesses in others but endures them patiently in the hope of forgiving reconciliation.” St. Paul exhorts, “. . . be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”   

Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with Your love to enable me to be patient with others as You are patient with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be still my soul, before the Lord, For God is always near. 
Before your mind is moved to pray, God listens and will hear. 

You need not multiply your words Nor pray with practice art.
Beyond all speech, God understands The hunger of your heart. 

Wait, then, in quiet confidence, Your anxious thoughts at rest.  
God knows your needs before you ask And works for what is best. 

Be still, my soul, before the Lord; On God in patience wait.  
God’s love, unseen, surrounds your life; God’s help will not be late.  (LSB 771)