by Dr. Paul Chappell

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

James 1:2-4

Let patience reign so you can grow in grace.

"Patience is my weakness. I'm just not good at being patient." How often have you heard that line (or said it)? Too often we explain away our impatience as a "weakness" yet God commands us to be patient. He desires that we would exhibit patience in every area of our lives-not just the ones that come naturally.

Author M.H. Lount once wrote the following commentary on the subject of patience:

God's best gifts come slowly. We could not use them if they did not. Many a man, called of God to...a work in which he is pouring out his life, is convinced that the Lord means to bring his efforts to a successful conclusion. Nevertheless, even such a confident worker grows discouraged at times and worries because results do not come as rapidly as he would desire. But growth and strength in waiting are results often greater than the end so impatiently longed for. Paul had time to realize this as he lay in prison. Moses must have asked, 'Why?' many times during the delays in Midian and in the wilderness. Jesus Himself experienced the discipline of delay in His silent years before His great public ministry began.

In our minds, the result of our works should be fruit. Our hard work and effort should come to fruition through visible success. But when God delays our success and holds back fruit, we often become impatient. We don't want to wait for our reward, but want it right away.

As Lount states, often our reward is not in a visible, tangible success, but in godly characteristics God desires to grow in us. Waiting yields fruit far greater than any work could produce. Yet despite God's desire to grow us through patience, we often complain about having to wait.

God commands us to wait. He tells us we will encounter times of delayed response so He advises us to be patient. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Let patience reign, so you can grow in grace.

Consider the many biblical characters who have experienced times of waiting: Moses spent forty years in the desert before leading Israel out of Egypt, Joseph spent years in an Egyptian prison before being made second-in-command, David spent years running from Saul before becoming Israel's next king (even though he had already been anointed), Daniel spent a night waiting in the lion's den before being released, the disciples spent three days waiting in fear before Jesus raised from the dead. Nearly every believer in history has spent time waiting on God's timing before experiencing His richest blessings.

Have you ever shrugged off patience as a weakness of yours? God has commanded you to be patient for a reason. He wants to pour out His blessings on you, yet often requires you to patiently wait on His timing. The next time God tells you to wait, thank Him for an opportunity to grow in His grace.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 87-88 | Romans 13