Faith and Patience, the Issue of Time

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6: 11-12

Time can wear on us all: believing, waiting, standing, confessing, walking, etc. Yet, do not become swayed or dismayed about the surety of the promises of God.

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Verse 12 is the key. The Spirit of the Lord reveals a precious principle here: Through faith and patience we inherit promises. We discuss many aspects of faith in these writings but patience is the one aspect that many times gets overlooked.

Patience is not just sitting back saying, “Any time, God…any time.” Biblical patience can be broken down into two types: endurance and forbearance. Endurance, which can be called “passive” patience, is patiently going through something. The three Hebrew boys of Daniel Chapter 3 had to endure or go through the fiery furnace. It was done “to” them and they needed to withstand it in enduring patience. Yet the patience spoken of here in Hebrews 6 is the forbearance type, which can be called “active” patience. Another place where this patience is used is in James 5:7 which deals with the patience like that of a farmer. He does not “endure” for his harvest, but must consistently tend to his planted seeds to get the expected harvest whether he sees any daily difference or not. Patience needs to be developed and unfortunately there is no way around the fact that this takes time. Yet, there are scriptural ways to accelerate the time process…but maybe we can discuss that at a later date. For now I’ll just say, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

 My Father, I bless Your name and I appreciate and celebrate the grace and favor that You have put in and on me to work through me. With certainty, I believe that I receive Your promises when I pray and with patience, I actively tend to my harvest with a consistent spirit of thanksgiving and an upright lifestyle. Yes! Your promises are my sure inheritance that I will see your goodness in this present world and the world to come!

Psalm 27:13; Gal 6:9; Mark 11:24