The Bible is full of records of men and women who achieved so much by adding patience to their faith in God’s Word or promise. Such people as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, and many others. This virtue is developed when your faith is tried: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” (Romans 5:3).
God’s promises are Yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20); He can never renege on any of His promises. But there are times when His Word may seem to be taking too long to come to pass in your life, and questions start arising in your mind: “Did God hear me at all?” “Didn’t I have enough faith?” James answered these questions in his writing: “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:3-4). In other words, patience is indispensable in order to live a successful and stable Christian life. Patience will strengthen your faith in the Word of God; it’ll help you maintain your confession and keep God’s Word as the only thing before you. When this virtue is at home in you, then you’ll know how to deny your flesh of its desires, so that the nature of God can dominate you. Many things have been said about the man Job, but one quality he had that saw him through his problems was patience (James 5:11).
The Lord Jesus said in Luke 21:19 “By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls” (Amp). You might be looking forward to a miracle, hoping that someday soon your heart’s desire would be fulfilled. You might even be praying for a speedy one, not wanting to wait as long as Abraham, Joseph or Job. When you look to God for a miracle, trust His choice, be patient and know that His timing is perfect.
