Faith and Patience In Prayer..
Recently, Isaiah 40:31 has been popping up in my thoughts from different areas . It starts with the words “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” How often do we need our strength renewed? Rather often, right? then how much more we should be waiting upon Him; looking to Him to be our joy, which is our strength. All too often we’re waiting on everything but His presence.
“Waiting on the Lord” is an active process that involves: submitting/yielding one’s will and looking for/expecting the promises of God. In addition, it means less talk, more listening and less doing, more seeking Him. Remember the two sisters in the bible-Mary and Martha? Jesus said “one thing is needful and Mary has chosen that good part”. She ignored everything around her and focused on His voice and His face.
Instead we seem to be looking at circumstances, expecting them to change so we can be happy…for a season anyway. Happiness and joy do not go hand in hand though. Happiness(temporal) comes and goes based on outward appearances but joy(eternal) is a bubbling spring in the heart of someone that fully trusts in Jesus as Lord.
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
This world and its modern day drive-thru, “give it to me now”, mentality doesn’t help to grow patience.
Do you know what the Bible says about patience? James 1:3 & Romans 5:3 tell us how we can obtain patience. The trials and troubles of life help to produce it within us. This is the testing or trying of our faith. And when our faith is purified it will be as pure gold—strong and enduring. If we are going to see fruit from our faith in Jesus Christ, then we have to allow the word to abide deep inside our hearts. His truth and love must be the reason our souls rejoice morning, noon, and night. Isn’t the promise of eternal life with Him enough?!
Patience is a virtue. Our faith can’t continue to grow without it.
TO RECEIVE PROMISES
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36
NEED TO BE FREE OF WEIGHTS & SINS
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3
GOD’S PATIENCE & HIS COMING
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. James 5:7,8
The post above is an excerpt from 'Creator to King of Kings' which is a Bible Study Guide for Generation Z and Beyond. For more information go here.
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