Patience and Wisdom June 28, 2020
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
This verse has been on my mind a great deal this week as I’ve been pondering patience, and wisdom. They go hand in hand.
Patience isn’t natural to most of us! It seems about as elusive as wisdom!
James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach/criticizing, and it will be given to him.
These days we certainly need wisdom! So much knowledge and expertise but where are the wise voices that can be heard over the angry shouts?
Solomon wrote much about wisdom:
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Knowing that God is real, is supreme, and that He has the final say is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.
The foolish person thinks he knows it all, and he tends to despise patience.
Proverbs 2:3-12
Discern righteousness and justice, equity and every good course, wisdom will guard you.
How valuable sound discernment and wisdom is needed these days! We need to be able to discern the truth of what is really good or evil.
How did Solomon gain wisdom? 1 Kings 3:5 – 11 God came to him in a dream and told him to ask anything of Him. Solomon asked God for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil! Discernment to understand justice.
Lately we’ve been hearing shouts for justice from all sides. But, whose justice? Which justice? Justice has been reduced to what a person or particular group thinks is right.
We really need God’s wisdom and discernment right now!
It takes patience to wait on the Lord, for His guidance and wisdom. But as James tells us – let’s ask God for wisdom! I believe that with wisdom we have a better grasp of patience.
Prov 3:3-6 Most of us are familiar with Proverbs 3:5 & 6 but the two verses preceding also are key to successful living for God: “Do not let kindness and truth leave you.”
Exercise kindness and truth; make them such an integral part of your life that they become part of who we are. Learning to lean, trust, and depend on God instead of focusing on our own understanding and opinions. Acknowledge God and He will make your paths straight. A straight path is a clearly defined course of how to proceed.
Gaining wisdom and patience from God helps us to reflect God.
Prov 16:7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Pray for peace with God and the people who you encounter as you purpose to live so that your actions and thoughts are pleasing to God.
Next week we will look at a couple of examples of people who allowed God to direct them, or not.
Scotts Mills Friends Church 