PATIENCE!  DON’T BE IN SUCH A HURRY

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…”

(Psalm 37:7, NIV)

It’s very hard sometimes for me to be patient!  Impatience is one of my biggest sins and I confess it to Christ almost daily (I John 1:9).  Unfortunately, we live in such a fast paced, rushed culture that as Americans, we hate to wait.  We want it now!  Instant gratification.  So, when I begin to feel hurried, anxious or impatient I like to remember Psalms 37:7.  This verse quiets my heart and reminds me to be still and wait on the Lord to act on my behalf.  It also helps me to remember that my Sovereign Heavenly Father is never in a hurry.  He is in complete control over every minute detail that occurs in the world and in our lives daily.  Why rush when you’re God?

There are many examples in Scripture of God’s children who were taught patience.  One that comes quickly to mind is the story of Hannah.  Hannah desperately wanted a child, but the Lord had closed her womb (I Samuel 1:5).  Peninnah, her husband Elkanah’s other wife, had many sons and daughters and she provoked Hannah severely so that Hannah wept and did not eat (I Sam. 1:6-7).  Finally, God had mercy on Hannah and granted her request for a child and she bore Samuel, whom she dedicated to God (I Sam. 1:27-28).  Samuel later became one of the greatest prophets in Israel.  The Israelites also were taught much patience when they were held captive as slaves by the Egyptians for four hundred years before God sent Moses to rescue them (Exodus 3:10). 

Do you also find it difficult to be patient in your current circumstances?  If you are like me, you want to be well now.  We need to ask God to help us rest in Him and wait patiently for Him, as Psalm 37:7 says.  God will work everything out for our good and His glory in His perfect time (Romans 8:28).  Only when we abide in Christ will we find true purpose and peace.

Dear Jesus:  Help us today to rest in You and be willing to patiently wait upon Your plan for our lives to unfold.