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Mar.08.05: Light for the Day - "God's Patience"
-- 2 Peter 3:8,9
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.
He is PATIENT with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
--- L.A.B. ---
God may have seemed slow to these believers as they faced persecution every day and longed
to be delivered. But God is not slow; He just is not on our timetable (Psalm
90:4). Jesus is waiting
so that more sinners will repent and turn to Him. We must not sit and wait for Christ to return, but
we should realize that time is short and we have important work to do. Be ready to meet Christ
any time, even today; yet plan your course of service as though He may not return for many
years.
-- Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
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-- Romans 2:4
Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care?
Can’t you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?
(repentance)
--- L.A.B. ---
In His kindness, God holds back His judgment, giving people time to turn from their sin. It is easy
to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.
Self-evaluation is
difficult, and it is even more difficult to bring ourselves to God and let Him tell us where we need to change.
But as Christians we must ask God to point out our
sins, so that He can heal them. Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God’s patience with others than
humbled at His patience with us.
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-- Romans 9:22
22 God has every right to exercise His judgment and His power, but He also has the right to be
very patient with those who are the objects of His judgment and are fit only for destruction.
23 He also has the right to pour out the riches of His glory upon those He prepared to be the
objects of His mercy.
-- James 5:7,8
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to
yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
-- Colossians 1:9-12
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and
asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and
understanding.
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in
every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have
great endurance and patience, and joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in
the kingdom of light.
-- Galatians 5:22,23
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, 23 Gentleness and Self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
-- Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
-- 1 Timothy 1:11-16 (Paul's letter to Timothy)
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful,
appointing me to His service.
13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown
mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that
are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus
might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and
receive eternal life.
-- Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle;
Be patient, bearing with one another in love.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak,
be patient with everyone.
-- Proverbs 25:15
Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can crush strong opposition.
-- Ecclesiastes 7:8
The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.
-- Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man will make mistakes.
-- Proverbs 16:32
It is better to be patient than powerful;
It is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
-- Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
-- Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance
(endurance);
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom
He has given us.
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