Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Living in Patience

2 Corinthians 6v6 “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path … Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in … patience.”

God seems to me to be extraordinarily patient! As I have recently reflected on the accounts of Elijah and Ahab (1 Kings 16-22), following into the sequel accounts of Elisha and Ahab’s children (2 Kings 1-13), I am amazed at the patience of God. God delays reasonable retribution and repeatedly gives miraculous signs to provoke a change of heart and direction. The patience of God is shown as he does not give what is deserved, but shows grace instead.

This is precisely what is meant when we read the classic Old Testament description of God. It is repeated 9 times from Exodus 34 through to Nahum 1 “The LORD is slow to anger”.

So, when God calls us to be “slow to anger” (a mere 5 times from Proverbs to James), he is only calling us to model his patience.

I can testify that God has been patient with me. Unfortunately, I am slow to learn, slow to respond, slow to change. Must drive him nuts! But it doesn’t. He responds with grace, discipline, reminders, forgiveness and new chances.

So “living in patience” firstly means, living in the patience of God – wow, how blessed we are! Then, and only then, it also means showing patience to the people and situations around me. Afterall, if I do not appreciate the character of God, how am I supposed to copy it?

O Father God, cause us to appreciate your patience towards us, and so to model your patience with the people and situations we face.

With love and blessing,

Roland