Patience in the Pandemic
Notes
Transcript
Patience
Patience
How’s your patience today? When this pandemic quarantine started, it was as novel as the coronavirus itself. But it’s worn out its welcome for me. I’m ready to get back to normal.
I suspect you have some level of that feeling as well. Many of you chose the person or people you are quarantining with and have been with them for years. But there’s something about being told you “MUST” be with them, well it might be getting to you.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to admit it. I’ve just watched people, and myself. This is getting old, and we all know it.
So what can we do about it?
Paul says in Ephesians 4:1-3, the following
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Biblical patience is best seen in God Himself. In the Old Testament, the concept is that God is “long”, hence we get the word “longsuffering” in so many texts. It means that God is not prone to anger quickly, but rather maintains his composure by waiting in a good way. God is not passive about this… He isn’t just painfully rolling His eyes at those He is waiting on. Rather, He is humbly , gently, lovingly..... putting up with us.
The Psalmist said in Psalm 86.15, this:
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Notice, He is not easily angered but graciously, mercifully, and steadfastly He remains loving and faithful… to us.
How many times did God reinstate Israel? That’s His patience. When Peter did so many things that appeared to be impulsive and borderline foolish- Jesus was patient with Him. In fact, even after Peter denied the Lord three times Jesus restores Him to His favor.
In fact, the Bible repeatedly says that God is patient with us waiting for us to come to Him. Think about 2 Peter 3:9 where that same Peter, who God was so patient with, writes this:
9 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.
Yes, God is very patient and longsuffering in love to us.
Is it any wonder then, that we are supposed to be patient with each other. That patience is a mark of what Christ has called us to be:
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
That means we are to walk like Christians- Christ followers will walk like Christ did. Walk worthy of that calling,.
And Paul tells us what that looks like.
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Our walk should be gentle… bearing with each other in love. the way that God is gentle bearing with us.. in love.
Patience. Pandemic Patience. Patience in the Pandemic.
Don’t let the pandemic get to you. Don’t let it take you across that bridge you don’t want to cross. Rather, pick up your cross and walk like Jesus did. Humbly, gently, bearing with each other in love… and in patience.
God bless you and I hope to see you this Sunday.