Patience, the Activating Principle

Patience - The power activating principle.

Through patience we possess the actuating cause of our individual life. The only actuating cause of any worth or of any power in the life of an individual, is belief and faith in God our father. The empowering principle, that God throughout His word teaches us, is the value of patience. In our walking (applying) His Word in our lives and waiting on Him to supply that which He knows will be best for us, we do not always receive from Him the things we want when we want them. Patience is the proving of our faith and a major key to receiving the things God has in store for us in our lives.
“Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls."
As Jesus taught that through all adversity in life, betrayal by family and friends, loss of the things we have, that by our patience nothing will harm us. God has given us words and wisdom that none of our adversaries will be able to challenge or withstand. In our patience (produced by our faith in God) we possess our lives.

Acquiring knowledge of God through His Word will result, as we learn and grow in the knowledge of God, in the development in our hearts of patience as well as comfort. It is through patience that we develop strong hope on which expectations are centered, the return of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus and our eternal life. The definition of hope is something on which expectations are centered and our expectations are centered on the return of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
“Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
Through our hope, by exercising God's principles in our lives by doing good, we are going toward our goal of immortality/eternal life with Christ Jesus and God our Father in heaven.
“Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"

This hope is the source of rejoicing in our lives and is a product of patience. Many equate patience as a Christian virtue but in actuality it is produced through studying and putting what we have learned of God Word in our hearts. Our patience is nurtured and brought into manifestation in our lives through the tribulations (those annoying or frustrating or catastrophic events that happen to us). By our reaction to these tribulations, using the way God wants us to handle such things, our patience grows and is produced through our faith in God's ability to handle all of the situations we can't. Having then developed patience, we gain our experience in handling life situations and true hope is realized in our hearts through our experiencing God working in our lives to provide what he has promised us.
“Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

The definition of our hope is defined in the book of Romans, we wait for the adoption the redemption of our body when Christ Jesus returns.
“Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

There are a number of things that our patience appropriates for us in our lives. Patience is a necessary ingredient in getting results in our lives by both prayer and believing. Let's look at some of the benefits we gain through our patience.

Patience , waiting on God, preserves us and will not produce embarrassment or remorse in our lives.
“Psalms 25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause."
“Psalms 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee."

Through patience, waiting on God, God teaches us and leads us into His truth.
“Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

We will inherit the land when the wicked are removed, when them that trouble you are out of the way one way or another.
“Psalms 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it."
“Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth."

Our deliverance in every negative life situation, is achieved through our patiently waiting on God to put in place our deliverance.
“Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies."

We wait on (patient anticipation) God because He is our strength and He is our defense.
“Psalms 59:9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence."
“Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust."

It is through our patience that we avoid having pride and anger in our lives. Through patience we control our lives but through pride and anger we have no control at all.
“Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

God renews our strength through our waiting (patiently) on Him. God will strengthen our hearts through patience and we can have good courage in all things.
“Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
“Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Through patience we open the way for God to supply all of the things we need in life. In the following teaching given by Jesus he said "to take no thought" or literally be not anxious but be patient. None of us can accomplish anything through anxiety or impatience. Worrying about what you will have or how to get what you drink, eat, clothe yourself with, or any other material thing you might need will never produce the result of getting those things in your life. Jesus said that life was much more than these things. If God provides these things for all the creatures in the world, He will much more provide for us. Jesus said that God knows we need these things and when we seek God we have all these things already provided for us by God. Jesus concluded by saying "take no thought" (don't be anxious - be patient) for tomorrow, God will provide for you tomorrow and for you all tomorrows.
“Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

When we are faced with persecution and troubles from unbelievers (by way of Satan's influence) around about us, should we be called in question as to our faith and belief, we should be patient (take no thought) as to what we are going to say because in these times God will give us the words to speak. When we speak in these situations for God and His son Christ Jesus, will be spoken of by Christ Jesus to his Father (we will gain blessing). What we speak will not be able to refuted.
“Matthew 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
“Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

It is through patience we obtain the promises of God in our lives. Abraham was one of the greatest examples of patience, after having received God's promise. He is just one of many examples of them who faith and patience received God's promises. It was many years after he and Sarah should have been able to have children that God brought His promise into fruition. Through our patience we do not loose our confidence in God's ability, that after doing the will of God we receive God's promises.
“Hebrews 6:11 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. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
“Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

We are to be anxious for nothing, being patient in waiting on God, the peace of God will keep (guard) our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The results of exercising this patience in our prayers and our asking God's help (supplication) along with giving Him our thanks will result in our receiving what we ask for.
“Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We have all heard of the patience of Job. Job was prosperous, and yet righteous in the eyes of God. The account of Job's righteousness and prosperity came before the events of his great afflictions. The lesson we learn for his story is that there are no material possessions that will secure us from troubles. Yet in all adversity, Job never lost faith in God nor in God's ability to make life good again. He never blamed God but patiently waited on God's deliverance and restoration.
“Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

Throughout all of his trouble, the negative "miserable comfort" offered by his friends and family, telling him how he must be the reason for his state of misery, he never failed to keep his faith in God's goodness. When the friends and family who had become a source of torment had reached a point he could stand no longer, instead of lashing out in pride and anger, Job prayed for them. God at this point, turned the affliction brought about by Satan on his life and gave Job twice the amount of things that had been stolen from him by Satan. God restored him his family and friends and blessed him in the later part of his life greater than in the first part of his life. God blessed him with length of life to be able to see and enjoy his family for four generations from that point on.
“Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days."

Through our patience we possess (control what happens in) our lives, we obtain promises from God, we are strengthened by God, we develop to a great extent our hope (looking forward to) in the return of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Through patience we make ourselves teachable by God and through patience we receive the answers to our prayers. And in conclusion:
“1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."