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WHAT DOES THE

BIBLE SAY ABOUT
CONTENTS
PATIENCE?
W
hen a timeless virtue
like patience is all
A Man Of Patience . . . . . 2
but forgotten in the
A Poet Of Patience. . . . . 3 incessant waves of breaking
Its Old Testament news, fast food, and overnight
Meaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 delivery, we can be sure that we
Its New Testament too are somewhere in the current
Meaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 of a powerful riptide.
Its Ultimate I am particularly interested,
Meaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 therefore, in recommending
The Company this booklet written by RBC
Patience Keeps . . . . . . . 15 writer and research editor
The Trials Dean Ohlman. Dean’s fresh
Of Patience . . . . . . . . . . 19 and personal style, combined
The Consequences with his background in
Of Impatience . . . . . . . . 23 education and the classics,
The Rewards have given him the ability to
Of Patience . . . . . . . . . . 28 help us see ourselves through
Its Ultimate Hope. . . . . 30 windows of the past. His
reflections on the virtue we love
to hate provide fresh insight into
ourselves and the unparalleled
wisdom of the Bible.
Martin R. De Haan II
Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo:Terry Bidgood
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.
© 2004 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA
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A MAN OF House of Commons, he was

PATIENCE encouraged by John Newton
(a former slave-ship captain

S
tanding just five feet and writer of the song
tall, his acquaintances “Amazing Grace”) to fight
considered him to for the end of the slave
be unremarkable in trade in Great Britain.
appearance—homely Success did not come
according to some. Yet a quickly. But Wilberforce
statue of this man stands tall was not a man to give up
in the English “hall of fame,” easily. It would take him
the Westminster Abbey. 19 long years to reach
The brief inscription on the that goal.
pedestal below reads, “He Ending the slave
removed from England the trade in the motherland
guilt of the African slave was not enough for him.
trade, and prepared the way He continued to push
for the abolition of slavery in for legislation that would
every Colony of the Empire.” abolish slavery throughout
The one honored the British Empire. This
by burial in this place was not to happen for
of renown was William another 37 years—the
Wilberforce, a man who edict passing its final vote
gained the respect of his just 3 days before he died.
foes as well as his friends If a monument has ever
for his unrelenting fight been raised to honor the
against slavery, child virtue of enduring patience,
labor, and animal abuse. certainly Wilberforce’s
Shortly after beginning grave marker is one.
his political career as a
member of the English
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A POET OF Blindness.” The poem’s final

PATIENCE line has been with me ever
since: “They also serve who

W
hile the life only stand and wait.”
and writings
of William
Wilberforce have influenced “They also serve
my thinking in recent years, who only stand
other examples of patience and wait.”
had an effect on my life John Milton
much earlier. Many of these
(1608–1674)
individuals were introduced
to me by my high school
English teacher, Ada That line, however, is
Moody. Her own love for only a summary of a great
inspirational prose and lesson learned by this
poetry radiated from her humble servant of Christ.
in a manner that could not John Milton had become
be ignored by many of us blind at age 43 after having
otherwise-distracted teens. proved himself to be one
In English literature, in of England’s most capable
particular, she worked hard writers and poets. The
to unearth the gems of year his blindness became
wisdom glittering beneath total was the same year
their burden of archaic that Oliver Cromwell
words and phrases. It was unseated King Charles I.
especially the writings of Cromwell championed
John Milton that needed her responsible freedom of the
careful explanations. One of press that allowed Puritan
the first works I recall was writers like Milton to freely
Milton’s sonnet “On His publish their convictions
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of principles and faith. ways transcend ours,

Now with this great new His purposes trump ours,
opportunity to write, Milton His will triumphs over ours.
was handicapped by the Personified patience holds
loss of his eyesight. He on to this lesson with a
wondered, in grand verse, faith that understands how
how the Lord of the universe blessed we are in our life
could allow this. All he under the sun because
wanted was to use his talent God is sovereign.
to serve God. How could God allowed Milton
God demand his labor but to live quietly, reflectively,
deny the “light” by which and patiently for 22 more
he needed to work? years—years during which
. . . but Patience, to prevent some of his greatest work
that murmur, soon replies, was done: the writing of
“God doth not need the epic moral history of
either man’s work mankind found in Paradise
or his own gifts; Lost and Paradise Regained.
who best bear His mild In the final stanza of his last
yoke, they serve Him best. significant poem, “Samson
His state is kingly; Agonistes,” the theme of
thousands at His bidding patience returns. Reflecting
speed and post o’er land and on the biblical narrative of
ocean without rest; Samson’s ultimate sacrifice
they also serve who only in service to Jehovah, Milton
stand and wait.” teaches once again the
By careful reflection on lesson that while we may
words and people of the question the actions of
Bible, John Milton learned divine providence, in the
Job’s lesson: We are not end His “Highest Wisdom”
indispensable to God. His is shown to be supreme.
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Patience reminds us that it as the adjective patient.

though “oft He seems It’s perhaps significant that
to hide His face, [He] the first use of the word is in
unexpectedly returns.” one of the Bible’s early lists
The unequaled grandeur of the attributes of God:
of well-rendered truth and The Lord passed before
spiritual wisdom that mark [Moses] and proclaimed,
the endeavors of so many of “The Lord, the Lord God,
the early masters of English merciful and gracious,
literature depended primarily longsuffering, and
upon one source, the Bible. abounding in goodness
Although King James had and truth” (Ex. 34:6).
made the Bible available to The Hebrew word
the masses in 1611 through translated “longsuffering”
the publication of his English is the one most commonly
language “Authorized used in the Old Testament
Version,” scholars like to indicate patience. Many
John Milton were able to Bible versions use the
study and write from the expression “slow to anger” in
original languages. translating this Hebrew term.
The “slow to anger” idea
OLD TESTAMENT is etched in my memory
from my childhood. My
MEANING father was a good and

T
he noun patience, longsuffering man. But
though a significant as children sometimes do,
ancient concept in my siblings and I tested
the Hebrew Scriptures, the limits of his patience
is not found in the King at times, which led to some
James Version of the Old painful discipline. Coming
Testament. Instead we find to Mother expecting
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consolation (a ready gain lessons on patience

disciplinarian herself), from the Hebrew is by
we’d often hear what was looking at the terms that
to become a familiar saying: define its opposite. One
“Beware the wrath of a term is variously used to
patient man!” indicate the concept my
mother referred to: trying
one’s patience, or finally
“Beware the fury exhausting one to the
of a patient man!” point of causing wrath or
John Dryden bringing about discipline.
(1631–1700) The ancient Israelites had a
way of doing that with God,
and their prophets found it
That was a good lesson necessary to remind them
for me because my dad that Jehovah’s longsuffering
was also a loving man. could eventually end, and
I find it interesting that discipline would be meted
many decades later I still out:
remember the threat of Then [Isaiah] said, “Hear
punishment, but I can’t now, O house of David!
recall any particular Is it a small thing for you
spanking. His discipline to weary men, but will
was adequate for the task you weary my God also?”
of correction, but not so (Isa. 7:13).
severe that the memory of In some translations
harsh punishment would the word weary is rendered,
short-circuit the lesson I “try the patience of.” Yes,
needed to learn. Exodus God’s patience can be
34:6 defines a God like that. presumed upon too far. Yet
Another way one can it is enlightening to discover
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that this particular passage the will to wait for what

comes just before one of is good and true and right,
the Old Testament’s primary and of the capacity to
prophecies about the persevere in the work of
promised Messiah (v.14). developing God-honoring
Together the two verses tell character and behavior.
us that the proper end of
true patience is righteous NEW TESTAMENT
judgment. But God let the
full force of His wrath fall
MEANING

W
on His Son, Jesus Christ, so hen we
that we who deserved such come to the
judgment could have a New Testament
pardon instead. manuscripts, which were
A good way to written in Greek, it’s a little
understand the Old easier to find nouns that
Testament terms relating relate more directly to the
to patience and impatience concept of patience. The
is to think of them as words two primary Greek words
relating to “long” and used commonly for patience
“short.” Patience means are differentiated by their
keeping your anger in reference point: One applies
check for a long time, to patience regarding things
enduring hardship for a and circumstances; the
long time, waiting a long other relates to patience
time for goodness, truth, in reference to people.
and righteousness to prevail, Interestingly, the
and striving a long time to Greek term that relates
reach perfection. Impatience to God’s patience is almost
is indicated by shortness— universally the one that
of temper, of endurance, of refers to people. One Bible
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commentator points out I obtained mercy, that in

that because God made all me first Jesus Christ might
things He can do with them show all longsuffering
what He wants, when He [patience], as a pattern
wants. He really doesn’t to those who are going
need patience with things to believe on Him for
and circumstances as you everlasting life
and I do. We can’t do (1 Tim. 1:15-16).
anything directly about One of the most soul-
many of the matters that stirring of all passages using
try our patience. They’re this human-oriented Greek
mostly beyond our power term for God’s patience is
to manipulate or control found in the apostle Peter’s
as God can. But God does second letter:
practice great patience The Lord is not slack
toward people, not because concerning His promise,
He can’t compel us to do as some count slackness,
His will but because He but is longsuffering
lovingly respects the will of [patient] toward us, not
those He has made in His willing that any should
own likeness. God patiently perish but that all should
waits for us to voluntarily come to repentance
respond to the leading of (2 Pet. 3:9).
His Spirit. It is this same Paul, recognizing
endurance that the apostle the importance of patience
Paul had in view when he as a godly attribute, held
wrote: up his own practice of it
Christ Jesus came into as an example to one of
the world to save sinners, his protégés. In a letter
of whom I am chief. to a young pastor
However, for this reason named Timothy, Paul
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used both of the common and without hypocrisy.

Greek terms for patience: Most biblical terms
You have carefully in reference to patience
followed my doctrine, indicate that it is an
manner of life, purpose, attribute with shoes
faith, longsuffering on—actively working and
[patience with people], persevering toward a God-
love, perseverance honoring end. It works while
[patience with things it waits. But a few of the
and circumstances],
persecutions, afflictions,
which happened to me at “Have courage for
Antioch, at Iconium, at the great sorrows
Lystra—what persecutions
I endured. And out of of life and patience
them all the Lord delivered for the small ones;
me (2 Tim. 3:10-11). and when you
Another Greek word
less commonly translated have laboriously
as “patience” indicates that accomplished your
longsuffering with people is daily task, go to
associated with an attitude
of gentleness and humility. sleep in peace.
This is the word found in God is awake.”
James 3:17. Victor Hugo
The wisdom that is from (1802–1885)
above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle [humbly
patient], willing to yield, words in the original
full of mercy and good languages remind us that
fruits, without partiality godly patience involves
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more than enduring the apparently important but

passing of time. It also unidentified person named
means waiting on God in Godot who never shows up.
times of deep trouble. It The characters idle their
carries an attitude of faith time away musing over the
that God is in control, so apparent meaninglessness
we can bring our anxieties of human existence. And
to Him. William Wilberforce the fact that the awaited
demonstrated the individual never comes is
hardworking, enduring fitting. At the end of the first
work of patience. John act, one of the characters
Milton’s attitude toward says, “Well, shall we go?”
his “untimely” blindness The other assents. But as
demonstrates for us the the curtain descends, they
godly attitude of gentle are seen not moving—still
humility we should have waiting. This philosophical
when all we can do is wait. drama is a picture of the
despair of a humanity
ITS ULTIMATE that merely exists without
meaning or purpose. This,
MEANING of course, is the primary

T
he 1955 play conclusion of the philosophy
Waiting For Godot of existentialism popular in
by Irish playwright the 1950s—and more or
and existentialist Samuel less foundational to current
Beckett is considered by postmodernism.
some literary critics to Though the whole
be the defining play of play is about waiting, no
the 20th century. It one would characterize
features two individuals the behavior of the two
who are waiting for an characters as patient. True
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patience involves waiting, some instances stand still

but it is not just waiting; it’s with firm resolve to hold on
waiting on purpose. While to the truth. Such patient
Beckett claimed that the endurance marked the
“Godot” waited for in his life of the apostle Paul. He
play did not symbolize was imprisoned numerous
God, the universal core of times (see Acts 16), and in
existentialism is uncertainty those times he could do little
about the existence of God. but wait in faith for God to
But patience, at its heart, act.
is faith in the existence, Yet Paul also had the
the compassion, and the other leg of patience, that of
promises of God. From the perseverance. Perseverance
first book to the last, the is patience on the move. It
Bible offers us glimpses of marks those who actively
faithful patience—waiting continue in a work they’re
for God—by people convinced is God’s calling.
who trusted Him and His Perhaps even more
Word. They determined to significant, however, is
persevere and endure to the persevering in a mundane
end because God is there work that seems on the
and He is good. surface to have little godly
Both the Old and purpose. It’s faithfully
New Testament words for going on with life, trusting
patience and the examples that if you do your work
of patience indicate that honestly and well with a
this virtue has two legs— good attitude and gentle
endurance and perseverance. spirit, you are indeed
These aspects reflect two serving your God.
important realities about A prime biblical
patience. Patience will in example of such patience
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is Joseph (Gen. 37–50). The just bear it all patiently.

story of Joseph is one of the The beauty of Joseph’s
longest and most dramatic story is that unlike
narratives of the Bible. After Hamlet’s, it is true. In the
being sold into slavery by end, Joseph’s faith and hope
his cruel and conspiring in God were stronger than
brothers, he was transported ever. He did not resolve to
to Egypt, where he suffered, seek vengeance. He didn’t
like Shakespeare’s Hamlet, deny his faith in Jehovah
“the slings and arrows of and resign himself to a
outrageous fortune.” miserable fate and bitter
If anyone had a reason end. Although he must have
to become bitter, to harbor experienced deep and dark
hatred, to lose faith in God, seasons of the soul, he did
Joseph certainly did. One not end up in despair.
could indeed picture Joseph Instead, over and over
delivering the famous he offered his life to God.
existential “to be or not to Through a series of terrible
be” soliloquy of Hamlet in reversals he trusted his
which the troubled Dane heavenly Father even in
ponders whether or not to the service of pagan rulers
kill himself because of the and governments. And
“whips and scorns of time.” God blessed Joseph for
Hamlet enumerates the his faith and patience in
very difficulties suffered ways he never could have
by Joseph: “the oppressor’s imagined—the eventual
wrong, the proud man’s salvation of his entire family
[insults], . . . the law’s delay, and the perpetuation of
the insolence of office, and God’s promise to Abraham
the spurns” that unworthily to make of him a great
come upon one who must nation that would bless
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the nations of the world. which so easily ensnares

Think of it. One young us, and let us run with
man’s practice of patient endurance [patience] the
perseverance, in seemingly race that is set before us,
impossible circumstances, looking unto Jesus, the
some 3,000 years ago, author and finisher of
ultimately blessed you and our faith, who for the
me. His hope is now our joy that was set before
hope. Joseph is ultimately Him endured the cross,
honored in the hall of faith despising the shame, and
found in Hebrews 11, a list has sat down at the right
of the saints of God who hand of the throne of
persevered and endured God (Heb. 12:1-2).
with patience just about True patience is
every trial imaginable— anchored in hope. And
because they had hope. our hope is grounded not
They knew (as Jesus later only in the much-witnessed
instructed us to pray) that life, death, and resurrection
God’s kingdom would come of Jesus Christ, but also
and His will would be done in the promise of His
“on earth as it is in heaven” return. French philosopher
(Mt. 6:10). The full meaning Vauvenargues stated it
of their exemplary lives was simply: “Patience is the
summarized by the writer of art of hoping.” This truth
Hebrews after he presented was elegantly stated by
his list of the faithful: another English writer
Therefore we also, since I learned about when
we are surrounded by so my high school literature
great a cloud of witnesses, teacher introduced us to
let us lay aside every Edward Bulwer-Lytton, a
weight, and the sin 19th-century novelist, who
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said, “There is one form Abraham, because He

of hope which is never could swear by no one
unwise, and which certainly greater, He swore by
does not diminish with the Himself, saying, “Surely
increase of knowledge. In blessing I will bless you,
that form it changes its and multiplying I will
name, and we call it multiply you.” And so,
patience” (The New after he had patiently
Dictionary Of Thoughts, endured, he obtained the
Standard Book Company, promise. For men indeed
1966, p.296). The writer swear by the greater, and
of the letter to the Hebrews an oath for confirmation
gave us the essence of that is for them an end of
hope: all dispute. Thus God,
God is not unjust to determining to show more
forget your work and abundantly to the heirs of
labor of love which you promise the immutability
have shown toward His of His counsel, confirmed
name, in that you have it by an oath, that by
ministered to the saints, two immutable things, in
and do minister. And which it is impossible for
we desire that each God to lie, we might have
one of you show the strong consolation, who
same diligence to the full have fled for refuge to lay
assurance of hope until hold of the hope set before
the end, that you do not us. This hope we have as
become sluggish, but an anchor of the soul,
imitate those who through both sure and steadfast,
faith and patience inherit and which enters the
the promises. For when Presence behind the veil,
God made a promise to where the forerunner has
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entered for us, even existential quandary about

Jesus (Heb. 6:10-20). the One they expectantly
James, the brother of looked for. It was not Godot
Jesus, also emphasized the
hope in Christ that is the
underpinning of our faith Patience is not
and the reason for our a desperate waiting
patience:
Be patient, brethren, in doubt, but a
until the coming of the hopeful waiting
Lord. See how the farmer in confidence.
waits for the precious
fruit of the earth, waiting
patiently for it until it they awaited; it was God
receives the early and in the flesh, the One who is
latter rain. You also be coming for the “restoration
patient. Establish your of all things” (Acts 3:19-21).
hearts, for the coming Patience is not a desperate
of the Lord is at hand waiting in doubt, but a
(Jas. 5:7-8). hopeful waiting in
Because the apostles confidence.
had personally met the
Son of God, received bread
and wine from His hands,
THE COMPANY
experienced His sacrificial PATIENCE KEEPS

I
compassion, touched f we learned nothing
His wounds, and seen else about patience
predictions of Jewish from the Bible than
prophets fulfilled, these what we know about the
early followers of Christ good company it keeps, that
were not left in an in itself would be profound.
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One of most significant facts While this accounting

about patience is that it is of honorable attributes
found in several Scripture readily comes to mind
“honor rolls,” lists of godly to those familiar with the
character traits that people Scriptures, there are other
living under the influence lesser-known lists that
of the Holy Spirit were reveal to us how highly God
intended to possess. regards patience, whether on
Perhaps best known His part or ours. Here are a
is the list of attitudes and few passages about patience
behaviors that mark the accompanying God’s
follower of Christ who is lovingkindness, readiness
acting in the power of the to forgive, and commitment
Spirit. In writing to the to justice:
church in Galatia, Paul first Let love be without
highlighted characteristics hypocrisy. Abhor what
that define those who will is evil. Cling to what
not “inherit the kingdom is good. Be kindly
of God.” He set them in affectionate to one another
opposition to the attributes with brotherly love, in
that identify true followers honor giving preference to
of Christ—the ultimate one another; not lagging
kingdom inheritors: in diligence, fervent in
The fruit of the spirit, serving the Lord;
Spirit is love, joy, rejoicing in hope, patient
peace, longsuffering in tribulation, continuing
[patience], kindness, steadfastly in prayer;
goodness, faithfulness, distributing to the needs
gentleness, self-control. of the saints, given to
Against such there is hospitality. Bless those
no law (Gal. 5:22-23). who persecute you; bless
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and do not curse. Rejoice inheritance of the saints

with those who rejoice, in the light (Col. 1:9-12).
and weep with those who For the love of money
weep. Be of the same mind is a root of all kinds of
toward one another. Do evil, for which some
not set your mind on high have strayed from the
things, but associate with faith in their greediness,
the humble. Do not be and pierced themselves
wise in your own opinion through with many
(Rom. 12:9-16). sorrows. But you, O man
For this reason we also, of God, flee these things
since the day we heard it, and pursue righteousness,
do not cease to pray for godliness, faith, love,
you, and to ask that you patience, gentleness
may be filled with the (1 Tim. 6:10-11).
knowledge of His will in But as for you, speak
all wisdom and spiritual the things which are
understanding; that you proper for sound doctrine:
may walk worthy of the that the older men be
Lord, fully pleasing Him, sober, reverent, temperate,
being fruitful in every sound in faith, in love, in
good work and increasing patience (Ti. 2:1-2).
in the knowledge of God; Paul gave us an
strengthened with all impressive list of Christian
might, according to virtues that accompany
His glorious power, patience: love, joy, peace,
for all patience and kindness, goodness,
longsuffering with joy; faithfulness, gentleness,
giving thanks to the self-control, genuineness,
Father who has qualified affection, friendliness,
us to be partakers of the innocence, humility,
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industriousness, patience. As if to highlight

selflessness, spiritual that truth, Paul used both
fervency, hopefulness, piety, common Greek terms for
charitability, hospitality, patience in his definition of
empathy, sympathy, love for the troubled church
in Corinth—patience with
people, and patience with
“Patience with things and circumstances.
The 13th chapter of this
others is love. letter is considered to
Patience with self be one of history’s classic
is hope. Patience descriptions of love—often
quoted from the King James
with God is faith.” Bible in English literature
Adel Bestavros books. Especially significant
are these verses:
Love suffers long [is
agreeableness, gratefulness, patient] and is kind;
righteousness, godliness, love does not envy; love
sobriety, reverence, does not parade itself, is
temperance, orthodoxy. not puffed up; does not
Our Lord and His first- behave rudely, does
century followers considered not seek its own, is
patience to be a defining not provoked, thinks no
character trait of those who evil; does not rejoice in
claimed to be His followers. iniquity, but rejoices in
Understanding how Jesus the truth; bears all things,
Christ is the epitome of love believes all things, hopes
and compassion, we should all things, [patiently]
not be surprised to find that endures all things. Love
love is often defined by never fails (1 Cor. 13:4-8).
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Simply stated, being that offers no challenge.

patient is the behavioral I find it fascinating
way to say, “I love you.” that of the heroes of faith
listed in Hebrews 11, some
THE TRIALS OF demonstrated great patience
while others showed
PATIENCE impatience.

W
hen we come Noah is a prime
to learn that example of patience. His
patience is an 120-year task of building the
aspect of love built on the ark has to be one of history’s
pillars of endurance and most amazing examples of
perseverance, we realize perseverance. Surrounded
that it is an essential virtue by an evil civilization that
for living in a fallen world had become violent and
on a cursed earth. Many godless to the core, he must
Bible translators have have received unending
rightly chosen the mockery.
expression longsuffering Abraham and Sarah
as the most symbolically are listed in Hebrews 11 as
accurate term for patience. well. Some of the facts about
In a perfect world, like that their lives demonstrate the
experienced by Adam dire consequences of
and Eve, patience would impatience, though
be meaningless. We’d be ultimately through faith
living in a state of perpetual they persevered—and
satisfaction with no struggles God’s promised creation of
and no pain. One does a special “chosen people”
not “endure” a joyful and was fulfilled through them.
pleasant experience. Nor Moses’ life illustrates
do we “persevere” in a task both impatience and
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patience. All told, however, tending sheep. We have

Moses demonstrates no record that God ever
amazing perseverance and communicated directly
endurance—in 40-year with him during those
stints. For 40 years he kept long years. So when God
his faith in the one God, dramatically entered his life
Jehovah, while being at the burning bush (Ex. 3),
educated in the courts of Moses had already spent
polytheistic Egypt. In fact, it many years in the school
was his belief in the God of of patience.
the Hebrews that motivated When God asked
a costly act of impatience. Moses to lead His people
While agonizing over the out of Egypt and on to
cruel captivity of his people, their promised land, Moses
he impulsively struck and soon found that he was
killed an Egyptian overlord still “in school.” Instead of
who was abusing one of the graduating to a life of
Hebrews. His ancestor ease, Moses had to endure
Joseph had prophesied another 40 years of extreme
many years earlier that God trial, hardship, and suffering.
would free the children of During those years Moses
Israel and bring them back got more lessons in
to the land promised to patience—and impatience—
Abraham (Gen. 50:24). than he ever wanted. His
So Moses could have frustration with the Hebrews
patiently trusted in that has been recorded for us in
prediction—allowing God’s several places. One that
plan to unfold in God’s time. stands out is his irritation
Because he didn’t, he spent over their lack of faith that
another 40 years enduring God would provide them
the barren land of Midian— the water they needed:
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Therefore the people articulated beautifully the

contended with Moses, importance of patience:
and said, “Give us water, Rest in the Lord, and wait
that we may drink.” So patiently for Him; do not
Moses said to them, “Why fret because of him who
do you contend with me? prospers in his way,
Why do you tempt the because of the man who
Lord?” (Ex. 17:2). brings wicked schemes to
The Amplified Bible pass. Cease from anger,
translates the Hebrew word and forsake wrath; do not
for “tempt” here as “try the fret—it only causes harm
patience of.” One could say (Ps. 37:7-8).
that the impatience of the Perhaps it is this
Hebrews constantly tried the understanding that
patience of both Moses and helped promote David
Jehovah. Later prophets to the honor roll of faith
frequently commented on in Hebrews 11:
the lack of patience shown And what more shall I
by the people of Israel—an say? For the time would
impatience that often led to fail me to tell of Gideon
God’s judgment. Time and and Barak and Samson
again they would speak and Jephthah, also of
of God’s longsuffering David and Samuel and
compassion for His the prophets: who through
stubborn and wayward faith subdued kingdoms,
people, yet also with the worked righteousness,
warning that His patience obtained promises,
would not last forever. stopped the mouths
Israel’s King David, of lions, quenched the
in his reflective moments, violence of fire, escaped
understood well and the edge of the sword, out
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of weakness were made mind whenever we have

strong, became valiant in to endure hardship—finally
battle, turned to flight pointing to the ultimate
the armies of the aliens. example of Jesus:
Women received their Consider Him who
dead raised to life again. endured such hostility
Others were tortured, not from sinners against
accepting deliverance, that Himself, lest you become
they might obtain a better weary and discouraged in
resurrection. Still others your souls (Heb. 12:3).
had trial of mockings and King David summed it
scourgings, yes, and of up this way:
chains and imprisonment. I waited patiently for the
They were stoned, they Lord; and He inclined to
were sawn in two, were me, and heard my cry. He
tempted, were slain with also brought me up out of
the sword. They wandered a horrible pit, out of the
about in sheepskins and miry clay, and set my
goatskins, being destitute, feet upon a rock, and
afflicted, tormented—of established my steps. He
whom the world was not has put a new song in my
worthy. They wandered mouth—praise to our
in deserts and mountains, God; many will see it and
in dens and caves of the fear, and will trust in the
earth (Heb. 11:32-38). Lord (Ps. 40:1-3).
The writer of Hebrews The ultimate motivation
concluded his comments for patience is contained in
about these mostly these words of that great
unnamed heroes of the psalmist. As followers of
faith by recommending Jesus we are sometimes
that we keep them all in going to have to suffer long.
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We will be misunderstood. leading others to Christ.

We will be taken advantage Practicing patience is
of by unprincipled people. sometimes an act of
evangelism.

When we patiently THE

wait for the Lord CONSEQUENCES
through persecution, OF IMPATIENCE
pain, depression,
O
ur discussion
up to this point
boredom, and may have left the
troublesome impression that patience is
circumstances, we a great and noble virtue that
may unknowingly isextreme
needed only in the most
and difficult times
be leading others of our lives. But the truth is
to Christ. that patience is a practical,
everyday virtue—one we’re
required to practice mostly
In it all, however, we in small, almost unnoticed
are directed to stand ways. Sadly, the meaning
firmly on the two legs of of simple patience is often
patience—endurance and dramatically demonstrated
perseverance. And don’t by our acts of impatience.
forget that when we Nearly all of us
patiently wait for the Lord have grieved over acts of
through persecution, pain, impatience that had dire
depression, boredom, and consequences. Many years
troublesome circumstances, ago, when my boys were still
we may unknowingly be young, I was stunned when
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I heard the news about the of them negatively affecting

tragic death of a neighbor. our relationships with
She was also the parent of others. Reformer John Calvin
young children. Heading off once painfully confessed,
to work one morning, she
drove out of our quiet
neighborhood onto a “To put it in a
busy highway—only to nutshell, every sin is
be struck and killed by a
car she should have waited to be traced back
for. Like so many of us, to impatience.”
however, she was in a Tertullian
hurry and did not take (c.160–225)
the time to judge
the speed of the car
moving toward her. What “My struggles are not greater
unintentional loss she against my vices, which are
suffered. What horrible very great and numerous,
emotional distress the than against my impatience;
surviving children and and my efforts are not
husband had to struggle wholly useless. I have not,
through. All they could however, been able yet
ask was, “Why? How to conquer that ferocious
could such a common animal” (John Calvin—His
act of impatience have Life, His Teaching, & His
such tragic results?” Influence by William
Most of our acts of Wileman).
impatience, of course, Maybe if we ask
do not have such instant ourselves what our
outcomes. But they all do impatience means, we’ll
have consequences—many have a better handle on
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patience. Looking at my At its heart, impatience

own life, I can see my acts is one of the chief traits of
of impatience motivated by self-centeredness. And self-
these selfish thoughts: centeredness is a mark of
• “My time is more immaturity. We are not
important than your surprised that children want
time.” what they want when they
• “Don’t you realize want it, but we expect
that your slowness is grown-ups to have matured
irritating me!” to the point where they’re
• “Come on, I have things willing to wait and to give of
to do.” In other words, their time to meet the needs
“My activities are more of others.
important than yours.” Unfortunately, we live in
• “If I don’t hurry, I’m a society that all too often
going to miss something doesn’t know how to wait.
important to me.” Our generation has become
• “I don’t have time to deal the “I Want It Now”
with your problem.” generation. We’ve become
• “This waiting is so accustomed to immediate
inconvenient for me.” self-gratification that we
• “You’re keeping me have lost our appreciation
from doing something for the gift of patience.
I want to do.” We tend to live like
• “I have to do this children looking forward
quickly because there’s to Christmas, a fact noted
something else I want by Irish poet Mary Tighe:
to do.” “O how impatience gains
• “God’s work must be upon the soul when the long
done now, and I’m the promised hour of joy draws
only one to do it.” near. How slow the tardy
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moments then seem to roll” doubt be readily added to

(The New Dictionary Of by others who have suffered
Thoughts, Standard Book under its impetuous control:
Company, 1966, p.296). • Untimely death
I thank God for allowing • Physical pain and
me to live long enough to suffering
look back and see how little • Broken dreams
I have accomplished by • Troubled personal
impatience. Not only does relationships
impatience mostly fail to • Stunted character growth
bring about what I want, • Compromised integrity
it often destroys my joy in • God’s displeasure
getting it. Impatience even • Missing the best of
turns necessary negative Christlike love
things into worse things. • Loss of the ultimate
Seventeenth-century best in pursuit of an
English bishop Jeremy Taylor immediate pleasure
noted, “Impatience turns an That last consequence
ague [a chill] into a fever, a reminds me of the neatly
fever to the plague, fear into lettered sayings posted near
despair, anger into rage, loss the front of every classroom
into madness, and sorrow at the Christian university I
into frenzy” (ibid, p.295). attended. After seeing these
A later bishop, George wise maxims hour after
Horne, agreed: “Adversity hour and year after year,
borrows its sharpest sting many of them sank in. I
from our impatience” think I can still quote them
(ibid, p.296). all after some 40 years.
Here’s a list of One in particular sticks
common consequences with me: “Don’t sacrifice
of impatience that can no the permanent on the
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altar of the immediate.” disappointed he was. Many

If impatience does of the peanuts had died and
anything, it often gives the rest were shriveled
up what is lasting and and misshapen.
significant for that which “That’s how it is with
is fleeting and relatively pre-marital sex,” Charlie
meaningless. That point wrote. In fact, that’s a
was graphically illustrated picture of the consequences
for me as a young man by that follow virtually every
pastor Charlie Shedd in impatient act.
his landmark book on sex,
The Stork Is Dead, which
he wrote for Christian “Don’t sacrifice
young people.
Charlie wrote about
the permanent on
his experience as a kid the altar of the
growing up in the American immediate.”
South and planting peanuts.
Because peanuts are tubers
that grow on the roots English scientist-
beneath the ground, you philosopher Francis Bacon
can’t see how well they’re recognized the extreme
developing. So being an danger of impatience. He
impatient kid, he decided to said, “Whoever is out of
dig them up to see how they patience is out of the
were doing. Well, they were possession of his soul.”
doing fine. So he shoveled Being a follower of Christ,
them back into the hole Bacon was no doubt
and tamped the ground recalling the words of Jesus
firm. A month or so later, he to His disciples about the
went to harvest them. How last days:
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You will be betrayed even gave Job twice as much as

by parents and brothers, he had before” (Job 42:10).
relatives and friends; and Patience provides
they will put some of us a better end than
you to death. And you the present. “The end
will be hated by all for of a thing is better than its
My name’s sake. But not beginning; the patient
a hair of your head shall in spirit is better than the
be lost. By your patience proud in spirit” (Eccl. 7:8).
possess your souls
(Lk. 21:16-19).
“Patience is
THE REWARDS the best remedy
OF PATIENCE for every trouble.”

B
ecause patience is such Plautus
a valued attribute for (c.254–184 BC)
the servant of God, it
is found throughout the
Scriptures. Sometimes “[God] will render to each
we see it in failures and one according to his deeds:
loss created by human eternal life to those who
impatience. But most by patient continuance in
commonly we find it doing good seek for glory,
marked by its rewards. honor, and immortality”
Consider the following: (Rom. 2:6-7).
Patience leads to Patience allows
earthly benefits. “The us to bear fruit from
Lord restored Job’s losses seeds of faith. “The
when he prayed for his [seeds] that fell on the
friends. Indeed the Lord good ground are those
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who, having heard the word Patience provides

with a noble and good heart, health for our souls.
keep it and bear fruit with “By your patience possess
patience” (Lk. 8:15). your souls” (Lk. 21:19).
Patience wins the Patience gives us
approval of God. “I hope. “Whatever things
waited patiently for the Lord; were written before were
and He inclined to me, and written for our learning,
heard my cry” (Ps. 40:1). that we through the
“What credit is it if, when patience and comfort
you are beaten for your of the Scriptures might
faults, you take it patiently? have hope” (Rom. 15:4).
But when you do good and Patience provides
suffer, if you take it patiently, us with God’s power.
this is commendable before “Walk worthy of the
God” (1 Pet. 2:20). Lord, fully pleasing Him,
Patience makes us being fruitful in every
a good example for good work and increasing
others. “We ourselves in the knowledge of God;
boast of you among the strengthened with all might,
churches of God for your according to His glorious
patience and faith in all power, for all patience and
your persecutions and longsuffering with joy”
tribulations that you (Col. 1:10-11).
endure” (2 Th. 1:4). Patience enables
Patience perfects us to inherit God’s
our character. “Let promises. “We desire
patience have its perfect that each one of you show
work, that you may be the same diligence to the
perfect and complete, full assurance of hope
lacking nothing” (Jas. 1:4). until the end, that you
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do not become sluggish, events that led up to the

but imitate those who crucifixion and resurrection
through faith and patience of the Lord Jesus, whom he
inherit the promises” loved so dearly. Many years
(Heb. 6:11-12). had passed, and John
had been wearied by the
suffering and pain he had
ITS ULTIMATE endured to spread the word
HOPE of what he and his friends

T
he apostle John, had witnessed. I can see
known in the Bible him writing these words
as “the apostle Jesus which eventually became
loved,” lived out many of Scripture:
his later years imprisoned I, John, both your brother
on the rocky Isle of Patmos and companion in the
in the Aegean Sea. The tribulation and kingdom
pictures I have seen of this and patience of Jesus
rugged and remote island Christ, was on the island
have helped to form the that is called Patmos for
image I have in my mind the Word of God and for
of the old disciple of the testimony of Jesus
Jesus quietly enduring his Christ (Rev. 1:9).
forced isolation, wandering Patient endurance and
ruggedly beautiful rocky perseverance had marked
shores—gazing out over his life and the lives of his
striking blue waters in brothers and companions,
the direction of Jerusalem as they had marked the life
several hundred miles to the of Christ. But the account
southeast. No doubt much John was about to write
of his time there was initially and send to the churches
spent remembering the in Asia Minor directly east
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of his isolated island was lampstands One like the

astoundingly different from Son of Man, clothed with
the letters he had written a garment down to the
before about how to live feet and girded about the
and walk in the love and chest with a golden band.
patience of Jesus Christ His head and hair were
(John’s three epistles). The white like wool, as white
last sight John had had of as snow, and His eyes
God the Son so many years like a flame of fire; His
before was that of a humble, feet were like fine brass,
persevering Servant being as if refined in a furnace,
received into heaven by and His voice as the
God the Father. This was 10 sound of many waters;
days before all the disciples He had in His right hand
were to be visited by God seven stars, out of His
the Holy Spirit. John, in mouth went a sharp two-
fact, had been worshiping edged sword, and His
in that very same Spirit on countenance was like the
the Lord’s Day when he sun shining in its strength.
was suddenly visited by his And when I saw Him, I
Master of old. This time, fell at His feet as dead.
however, it was not a meek But He laid His right
and mild suffering Servant hand on me, saying to
he saw. It was his glorious, me, “Do not be afraid;
conquering Savior. John I am the First and the
wrote about his vision: Last. I am He who lives,
I turned to see the voice and was dead, and behold,
that spoke with me. And I am alive forevermore.
having turned I saw seven Amen. And I have the
golden lampstands, and in keys of Hades and of
the midst of the seven Death” (Rev. 1:12-18).
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Jesus continued to Had you or I been there,

speak, providing an we too would have come to
astonished John with the same conclusion. How
visions of the last days. thankful we can be that
I’m not everything
sure how this NINE REQUISITES FOR patiently
awe-inspiring CONTENTED LIVING: endured in
appearance • Health enough to make our life, in
work a pleasure.
of Christ • Wealth enough to our world,
affected John’s support your needs. in our work
life afterward, • Strength to battle with for Christ,
but one thing difficulties and overcome and in our
I believe them. love for
• Grace enough to confess
we can be your sins and forsake others will
confident of: them. receive the
John came to • Patience enough to ultimate
understand toil until some good reward
that his is accomplished. dramatically
• Charity enough to
patient see some good in recorded for
continuance your neighbor. us in the
in the faith • Love enough to move Bible’s last
was worth you to be useful and book:
every beating, helpful to others. “He who
• Faith enough to make
every real the things of God. testifies to
humiliation, • Hope enough to these things
every blister, remove all anxious fears says, ‘Surely
every drop concerning the future. I am coming
of sweat, and — Goethe (1749–1832) quickly.’
every tear he Amen. Even
had shed in service to the so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Savior. (Rev. 22:20).
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