"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains-" - James 5:7 (NIV).
Patience has been characterised as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23).
The noted Christian author, Charles Spurgeon, has given us a beautiful illustration of patience. "A butterfly will eventually emerge from its chrysalis, but not before a butterfly egg hatches into a caterpillar and the caterpillar forms itself into the chrysalis" he writes of nature. "A salmon will eventually lay its eggs in a stream, but not before it has attained maturity in the ocean and has swum up the stream. A farmer will eventually reap a harvest, but not before he plows the land, plants, and fertilizes the crop."
Spurgeon goes on to point that just as it is written "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1), being patient is the order of nature and God.
Well, if one wanted to get an idea of how patience can be a scarce commodity venture on a road here in Uganda and momentarily experience a jam. While you normally expect drivers to stay in their line, it is never that easy. Suddenly three or four lanes normally emerge caused by impatient drivers
If you are the type who is always hurried and eager to have your way, just remember this. Life requires a dose of patience, like a farmer who sows, cultivates and waits for a rich harvest, while enjoying every moment for each has a purpose and meaning. By practicing patience you are revealing God's work in you, as you demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for the fruit of patience especially in my personal relationships, this I pray in Jesus name.
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
