November 9
Ezekiel 20:1-49; Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 27:11
We worship a patient God. This may seem like a strange way to think about God but as Ezekiel and many other parts of Scripture, point out God is abundantly patient.
Ezekiel describes a series of moments when God was patient towards Israel rather than responding in judgment. He rescued them from Egypt and despite their rebellion, he withheld his full judgment. Then this next generation rebelled and yet he “withheld my hand.” Despite God’s patience, he points to a time when his full judgment will fall upon sin. It happened in part through the exile of Israel but we still await its full expression at Christ’s return. While we wait for this return we remember that God is patient in delaying Christ’s return so that more people can come to faith. For some, this return will bring wrath and eternal separation from God, while for others it “will bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” As we pray to God and worship him, we should celebrate that he is a patient God.
Further, as we remember God’s patience this should cultivate patience in us. In fact, this is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit which God desires to work in us. He longs for us to express patience because it is a reflection of him. When we are patient to our kids, spouses, co-workers, boss, or drivers, we are reflecting an aspect of God that our world desperately needs to see.
Father God, thank you for your patience to me and to the world. Help me reflect your patience to those around me. Amen.
Question: How can you better reflect God’s patience in the way you respond to people?
We worship a patient God. This may seem like a strange way to think about God but as Ezekiel and many other parts of Scripture, point out God is abundantly patient.
Ezekiel describes a series of moments when God was patient towards Israel rather than responding in judgment. He rescued them from Egypt and despite their rebellion, he withheld his full judgment. Then this next generation rebelled and yet he “withheld my hand.” Despite God’s patience, he points to a time when his full judgment will fall upon sin. It happened in part through the exile of Israel but we still await its full expression at Christ’s return. While we wait for this return we remember that God is patient in delaying Christ’s return so that more people can come to faith. For some, this return will bring wrath and eternal separation from God, while for others it “will bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” As we pray to God and worship him, we should celebrate that he is a patient God.
Further, as we remember God’s patience this should cultivate patience in us. In fact, this is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit which God desires to work in us. He longs for us to express patience because it is a reflection of him. When we are patient to our kids, spouses, co-workers, boss, or drivers, we are reflecting an aspect of God that our world desperately needs to see.
Father God, thank you for your patience to me and to the world. Help me reflect your patience to those around me. Amen.
Question: How can you better reflect God’s patience in the way you respond to people?
Recent
Archive
2025
January
January 1January 2January 3January 4January 5January 6January 7January 8January 9January 10January 11January 12January 13January 14January 15January 16January 17January 18January 19January 20January 21January 22January 23January 24January 25January 26January 27January 28January 29January 30January 31
February
March
Categories
no categories
No Comments