But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
-2 Peter 3:8-9
Patience on God’s scale is very different than ours.
The more we want something the less patient we are. The less patient we are the more time seems to drag on. The longer time drags on the more we perseverate on our so-called suffering. Am I belittling said suffering? Not at all – just pointing out the root of it as it relates to patience (or lack thereof).
Don’t feel bad. Apparently, patience must be taught. Take, for example, the wives of the first three patriarchs in Holy Scripture, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Sarah was beautiful (Genesis 12:11) yet barren (Genesis 11:30). Rebekah was attractive (Genesis 26:7) yet barren (Genesis 25:21). Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance (Genesis 29:17) yet barren (Genesis 30:1).
Let’s give these three stories some context. First, understand that it was a really big deal to bear children and carry on the family name during the time Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel were around. It is also worth mentioning that these three women were notably attractive. This would’ve amplified the expectation from early on in their lives that they’d find suitors who they’d bear children to. However, God made them barren (at least long enough for each of them to conclude that they weren’t going to bear any children).
Of course, these accounts are recorded in the Bible for a reason. In particular, they taught Israel early on (and us today) about the importance of trusting in God. If we don’t trust God, we rely on our own estimations and arrive at our own conclusions. This never ends well. In fact, it’s fair to say that when we do this, we become the reason for our own misery (e.g., we suffer because of failed expectations).
Most of us suffer over things God has never made promises about. Imagine being Abraham, whom God made a covenant with regarding his seed and prosperity (Genesis 15), and then being given a barren wife! This adds a whole new dimension to the situation, doesn’t it? Then imagine finally having a son, Isaac, and God asks you to kill him (Genesis 22)! How’s that for tension in the soul? How’s that as a potential source of suffering?
God has a habit of pushing us to our limits, testing our faith in Him, before He delivers on His promises. If we fail the test, we suffer. Until we pass, we aren’t delivered. This is all part of His plan to sanctify us. Humility before the sovereign, holy God of the Universe is the key.
Consider Abraham’s faith:
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.”
And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
-Genesis 15:1-6
Abraham trusted the Lord. If there’s one thing we should ever do in this lifetime, it’s to trust in the Lord for salvation (I use this word in the broadest sense to include all facets of sanctification). Hint: this is the secret to avoiding the throes of impatience.
If the Lord promises something, He will deliver on it. If we doubt Him, we suffer. Look at what He ultimately did with Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel:
The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.
-Genesis 21:1-3
And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
-Genesis 25:21
Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
-Genesis 30:22
Sarah’s faith complemented Abraham’s, so much so that she is listed in the so-called “hall of fame of faith” in Hebrews 11. She conceived by grace through faith (ref: pattern for all forms of salvation, ala Ephesians 2:8-9).
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
-Hebrews 11:11-12
My prayer is that we all learn from the wonderful examples we are given in Holy Scripture regarding faith and patience. To trust the Lord is to accept His perfect timing in our lives. Unfortunately, we are born terribly impatient (even the most “patient” among us by man’s standards pale compared to God’s standards). Learning what true patience is takes time. I suppose that’s the conundrum, huh? The arch enemy of impatience is time and yet that’s the very thing that is required to deliver us from our self-inflicted misery. I guess this is just more proof that God must work miracles in us in order to sanctify us. I’m glad one of us has patience.
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
