THE NEED FOR PATIENCE

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Heb. 10:36).

I. Patience in Suffering

“Ye have heard of the patience of Job …” (James 5:11).

A. Job was patient in suffering. He won the approval and blessing of God through his trust and determination Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”

B. We should also be patient in suffering. We should look for its purpose and seek to glorify God

through it.

II. Patience in Sorrow

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he … heard my cry” (Ps. 40:1).

A. Jesus was a man of sorrow. He bore deception, disgrace, and death with patience, compassion, and forgiveness.

B. We should also be patient in sorrow. We should endure trials, troubles, and testings as Jesus did .

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

III. Patience in Success

“… let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).

A. Patience is needed in attaining success. Overconfidence and overwork are to be avoided.

B. Patience is needed when success has been attained. A person’s motives may be misjudged by others, but God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””

IV. Patience in Setbacks

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him” (Ps. 37:7).

A. Setbacks are difficult to bear. They bring feelings of discouragement, defeat, and humiliation.

B. God has a purpose in allowing setbacks. We must trust in Him, knowing that His ways are always best. We must wait patiently for His will to be revealed (Rom. 8:28).

V. Patience in Service

“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Heb. 6:15).

A. Service should be performed as unto the Lord. The more we do, the more criticism we often receive from other people.

B. Perseverance is needed when results are slow in coming. Patience is needed in all our service for God (Col. 3:23, 24). Colossians 3:23–24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”