The Virtue of Patience

Memory Verse: "Samuel said, “What on earth are you doing?" Saul answered, “When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn't come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, 'The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven't yet come before God asking for his help.' So I took things into my own hands, and sacrificed the burnt offering."" (1 Sam.13:11-12, MSG)

Scripture Reading: 1 Sam.13:1-14.

If there is one Person you must be patient with, that Person is God. The virtue of patience is your access to accessing God's promises for your life-  Heb.10:36.

Let us learn from the mistake of Saul this morning.

An offering was needed, and Samuel told Saul that, in fulfillment of his position as priest, he would officiate. His instructions were that Saul was to wait seven days. Then, Samuel would arrive for the sacrifice. Saul waited, but as the days passed, he became impatient. Facing the pressures and problems of the nation, he elected to offer the sacrifice himself.

To his surprise, Samuel arrived just as Saul "finished making the offering." In other words, Saul just had to wait a little longer. But he "acted foolishly" and did not keep the commands God gave him.

Saul did not realize it, but he had failed God's test. You see, for every promise, God will test you. Samuel said that God was seeking "a man after his own heart." Because Saul would not wait, his kingdom was taken from him.

This story demonstrates the limits of our human understanding. It is easy to be like Saul and become impatient with God. To want to do things ourselves, when we think God is slow.

We may have prayed about a situation. But, if we do not see results, we can decide to take action on our own initiative. But, as Samuel told Saul, God looks for people who have a "heart after His own heart." These people trust in Him, and relentlessly seek to obey Him. They realize that His timing is perfect. They believe and trust Him, even when circumstances tempt them to become impatient.

Today, make sure that you are trusting completely in God. Don't give up, even if you don't see results. Keep trusting in Him. And keep obeying His Word. Committed to have a heart after His heart.

Ponder Point: Impatience is a robber.

Action Point: Cultivate the virtue of patience with God.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to trust You in every situation I face. I believe that Your timing is perfect. Forgive me for being impatient. I commit myself to have a heart that is after Your heart in Jesus name, Amen.