Patience and Endurance

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

Introduction

The English word patient is a weak translation of the original word. It is the compound Greek word long (makro) and temper, anger (thumia) or literally long-tempered. The idea is be self-restrained and not quick or easy to retaliate. It is reflected in the stamina to live without complaining, giving up or striking out. They should be ready to endure affliction without complaint and to remain committed in their obedience to God. The Bible is a great resource and reminder of the many that have gone before us with patience and endurance. Here are five examples from the Bible about patience that feature some great men of faith. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

Abraham – The Father of Many Nations

God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. But when the promise was first given (Genesis 12:1-3) Abraham and his wife Sarah did not have any children. God continued to restate His promise to Abraham through the years (Genesis 13:6; 15:1-6; 17:6-8; 18:10). Abraham, though known as a man of faith, took his wife’s suggestion and had a child with Sarah’s handmaid. The son’s name was Ishmael. But this was not the son God intended for Abraham. (Genesis 16) Finally when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old God gave them their son Isaac. Though it took years of patiently waiting, they received the promise of God. Hebrews 6:15 says of Abraham, “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

Joseph – From Pit to Prison to Palace – A Picture of Patience

Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave (Genesis 37:27, 28). Though he did not understand all that was happening, he trusted God to work out His plan in His time. Joseph patiently worked faithfully in each situation he was in. He waited for God to fulfill His promise that Joseph would be a leader of his people (Genesis 37:5-11). He had to be patient as he believed God, but probably wondered why he was sitting in a prison cell. God did lift Joseph up to great power and responsibility. Not only was he a leader of his people, but he ruled over the people of Egypt too. Patience was needed to allow God to accomplish His purposes in the life of Joseph and his family.

Job – The Man of Patience

Probably the best known story of patience in the Bible is the life of Job. To prove Job’s faithfulness to the Lord, God allowed the devil to destroy everything Job owned (Job 1). Job was a wealthy man. He lost his crops, property, cattle and servants. But most devastating of all was when Job lost his children. However, Job did not blame God. He accepted that God had a plan and would be patient for God to reveal His plan.

Often people will talk about the patience of Job. He knew God had a plan and was willing to accept what God allowed in his life. In the end God restored to Job twice as much as he had in the beginning (Job 42:10). If there is nothing to endure you cannot learn endurance. You cannot persevere unless there are trials in your life. There can be no victories without battles; there can be no peaks without valleys, no joys without sorrows and no strength without trials and no blessings without sufferings. If you want the blessing, you must be prepared to carry the burden and fight life's battles. God first humbled righteous Job then He honored him with blessings. Once again Job learned God's heart after enduring the trial and in the end he realized God's mercy.

Simeon – Eagerly Awaited the Messiah

Luke 2 tells the story of the birth of Christ. The angels announced his birth to the shepherds who then went to see Jesus in the manger. Later, in the same chapter, Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple to give an offering to God for the birth of their child. The Holy Ghost had revealed to a man named Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the birth of the Messiah. The Bible does not indicate how long Simeon waited for the birth of Christ, but the fact that it says he would not die until he saw the Savior indicates that he waited some time. After Jesus arrived in the temple Simeon was led by the Spirit to visit Him there. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and thanked God that the promised child had arrived. Joseph and Mary were surprised by Simeon’s actions. Simeon knew that he could depart in peace.

Jesus – An Example of Patience

Hebrews 12 says of Jesus’ death on the cross that it was something He “endured.” While His crucifixion was for our salvation, the Bible says His death is also an example for our lives. When we are worn down during our daily tasks we are reminded in Hebrews 12:2, 3, “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.” Before Jesus arrived at the cross He patiently trained the disciples. Even after His miracles and proclamations of being the Son of God, the disciples were often confused as to who Jesus was. Today we think of the disciples as being mature men of faith. But as we read through the gospel accounts, Jesus was still trying to teach them how to persevere in prayer up until the moment He was taken in the garden to be crucified.

Patience that we need

We are not to expect to have life easy and comfortable. Jesus told us that, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John. 16:33). Our great expectation is the blessed hope of Jesus' return. That event brings our eternal rewards. We must patiently endure hardships and heartaches until Jesus returns. This will be a day of reckoning for our oppressors and a day of glory for us. But while we wait there are things that need our patient and enduring attention.

The realization that things won't always be as they are now, that believers are headed for "the city…whose architect and builder is God" (Heb. 11:10), provides great hope for those undergoing persecution. For that reason, the more persecuted a church is the more eagerly it anticipates the return of Jesus Christ; conversely, an affluent, indulgent, worldly church has little interest in the Lord's return." [MacArthur, James,]

Therefore we must not allow events to dull our hope in Jesus' return. We must not reduce our hope for Jesus' return to something like the transformation of society by Christian values. Jesus will come personally!  The hope of Jesus' return gave the early Christians strength as they faced hardship (Heb. 9:28). We must look at time from the viewpoint of the God for whom a thousand years is only a day (2 Pet. 3:8; 2 Cor. 4:16-18). Though centuries have passed since Jesus promised to return, we serve a God for whom the length of time does not imply a failed promise. Our hope in Christ's return and its nearness are encouragements for us to serve and obey Him.

Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in the 1860's. He believed fervently in the impending return of Christ. His belief influenced him to make the evangelism of unreached areas of China His primary aim. His beliefs about Christ's return gave him direction and urgency in the establishment of the mission. "Our belief in the return of Christ can provide us courage to face difficulty. It can give us stamina to endure persecution. It can deepen our hope that God will provide us reward and recognition to vindicate our actions." (Lea, Holman NT Com. James. pg. 344)

Conclusion

Now by all this we can see that patience is a very important key to living the Christian life. Many times we don’t understand why we have to go through things. But it is here that we must be patient. It is here that we must, without murmuring or complaining, wait on the Lord. Even, when life is painful and hard, we can persevere because God is there. Quitting is easier than enduring, but it produces a pattern that's hard to break. So if you've been thinking, "This relationship's too hard, so I want out or, "This job isn't what I expected," remember, you develop resiliency by remaining faithful in situation you don't like and can't change. So, don't give up! God gives great honor to those who endure. Patience and endurance are twin virtues that eventually will bring God's blessing. In times of trial and hardship we must put aside the human tendency to grumble, complain or manipulate and commit ourselves to "God's will and continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19).