7 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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:7-9
We are in a waiting period.
Just this week:
we have the Michigan school shooting.
12 people were shot in Chicago, four died.
13 police ofiicers were shot, 3 killed.
25,000 people, 10,000 children die daily from starvation.
Russia is messing with Ukraine and China is trying to take over Tawain.
We might ask -- why doesn't God do something? His waiting is His mercy.
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?" Psalm 13:1-2
"How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?" Habakkuk 1:2
"They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”" Revelation 6:10
God is holding back. Why did it take Noah so long to build the ark? Why did the Israelites wander so long in the desert? God showing people mercy -- He wants all to come to repentance.
Waiting for the Messiah
Isaiah to Jesus -- 800 years
Malachi to Jesus -- 400 years
Jesus's second coming....? How long Lord?
God's promises are always fulfilled.
"Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:45
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9
God said He will handle it.
"God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19
Why does God delay?
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!" Isaiah 30:18
He waited for us.
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8
We deserve His wrath.
"If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:3-5
"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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:7-9
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:10-11
The wickedness will be handled. The sin, the wars will be dealt with.
We must be patient in Prayer
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
We can be thankful while praying about trouble and suffering because we know God is in control.
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
Run the race -- in the midst of it all
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
God's got this. Be joyful always -- Be joyful anyway!
We are in a waiting period.
Just this week:
we have the Michigan school shooting.
12 people were shot in Chicago, four died.
13 police ofiicers were shot, 3 killed.
25,000 people, 10,000 children die daily from starvation.
Russia is messing with Ukraine and China is trying to take over Tawain.
We might ask -- why doesn't God do something? His waiting is His mercy.
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?" Psalm 13:1-2
"How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?" Habakkuk 1:2
"They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”" Revelation 6:10
God is holding back. Why did it take Noah so long to build the ark? Why did the Israelites wander so long in the desert? God showing people mercy -- He wants all to come to repentance.
Waiting for the Messiah
Isaiah to Jesus -- 800 years
Malachi to Jesus -- 400 years
Jesus's second coming....? How long Lord?
God's promises are always fulfilled.
"Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:45
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9
God said He will handle it.
"God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19
Why does God delay?
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!" Isaiah 30:18
He waited for us.
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love." Psalm 103:8
We deserve His wrath.
"If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:3-5
"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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:7-9
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:10-11
The wickedness will be handled. The sin, the wars will be dealt with.
We must be patient in Prayer
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
We can be thankful while praying about trouble and suffering because we know God is in control.
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
Run the race -- in the midst of it all
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
God's got this. Be joyful always -- Be joyful anyway!
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