Patience is often seen as a godly virtue and indeed it is one. God, Himself, is the greatest example we have of patience that we should be ready to emulate and incorporate into our lives. God shows great patience in many ways as found in His word

First of all, He shows great patience toward us His children as we strive to serve Him and do His will to the best of our ability. As we strive to serve Him, we often fail and err into the ways of sin. He is ever quick to forgive us when we repent and is there to take us by the hand and lift us up out of the mires of sin, setting us back on the paths of righteousness that we may follow Him again.

He also is patient with us, His children when it comes to our spiritual growth. We often grow so slowly as Christians that it is all put imperceptible, yet, God is patient with us and grants us continuation in this life that we may grow stronger and ever closer to him through the trials and tribulations we face continually.

God does not expect perfect Christians the minute we rise from the water of baptism, but is patient with us as we spend the remaining years of out lives growing stronger and more faithful to Him. We should be sure that we are growing each day and be thankful for the great patience God in His mercy shows us as we do so.

Another way that God shows His great patience is with mankind in general. 1 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” In the context, Peter is talking about the destruction of the world that God will bring upon the world at the end of time.

The first time the world was destroyed in a great flood, the bible tells us that the thought of man’s heart was evil continually (Genesis 6:5). Much of the world can be seen in this same condition today, so why does God hold off and not bring His just destruction upon the world again? It is because he is long-suffering and patient and is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should repent before it is too late.

It is our job as Christians to get the gospel out to a lost and dying world that others may be saved before it is too late. This is the whole reason the world continues to exist and God continues to suffer with mankind in the sin and evil that goes on. We must do our part to carry out His purpose.

So, seeing what great patience God has toward us His children and with mankind in general, how should we behave? Obviously we should learn to have patience as well in our dealing with others and though the trials and tribulations that make up our day to day lives.

Patience is like a first virtue we need if we are to ever be wise as God would have us be. Indeed, how can we ever be wise if we do not first learn to be patient with others and with everything that comes before us in this life?

Philippians 2:3 says: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Selfish ambition and conceit are the opposites of patience. Instead let us learn to look after the interests of others as well as our own and show at least some of the great patience that God shows us we should have through His example.

May God bless and keep you until next time.