The LORD is merciful and loving, slow to become angry and full of constant love.  Psalm 103:8, GNT

 

The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins. 2 Peter 3:9, GNT

 

Patience is a rare gift that is only bestowed on a few. Even my dear mother sometimes lost patience when her three children became overwhelming for her. According to Galatians 5:22, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. I think most of us would love to always have this gift, but with the current state of our world and society, it is sometimes very difficult to be patient.

 

Fortunately, the Bible tells us that God has lots of patience with us. In both our verses for today, God’s patience is used in conjunction with some of his other qualities, which display his love for us. He is merciful, loving, slow to anger and full of constant love. These words in Psalm 103 are similar to those from Exodus 34:6, where God tells Moses that although the Israelites are recalcitrant, he still has endless patience with them. If we look at their constant complaining and discontent with everything, it would have been no wonder if God left them right there in the desert. Instead, he was still patient with them, his chosen people.

 

Peter was in the same position as Moses. People were starting to complain because the expected second coming of Christ had not happened as quickly as they expected. In this matter, it was God’s decision and his alone when it would happen. One would expect God to lose patience with them, but the opposite happens. God “is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.”

 

Today we see many people complain about the church, say bad things about other people, not trust in God and not attend church regularly. In spite of all this, God is still patient and keeps creating opportunities for us to meet him.

 

Prayer: We thank you, dear Father, that you have not lost patience with us, but keep calling us to be your children.