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GOD’S PATIENCE (ISAIAH 48: 6-13)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “God’s patience.” God’s patience means His capacity to hasten slowly in bringing judgment upon sinners. His tolerance to humanity’s disobedience and his show of mercy and restoration without seeking to destroy with His wrath. We shall reflect on the fact that God’s patience is the withholding of His wrath to grant us the grace to repent and be restored before the day of judgment.

Beloved in the Lord, God’s patience is the time or period for our repentance and reconciliation with Him. One of the reasons Israel was sent into exile was idolatry or worship of other gods but God’s patience held Him from destroying or bringing judgement upon them. We see a manifestation of God’s patience when He said to the Israelites, “You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been open. Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth. 9 For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.” (Isaiah 48:8-9). In other words, irrespective of the fact that Israel has been stubborn or recalcitrant God was patient with them by withholding His wrath and not destroying them. Again, we see the patience of God towards the Israelites when He said “…if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. (Ezekiel 18:27) Indeed,

the entire Ministry of Jesus Christ and the essence of the Gospel is about God’s patience towards sinful humanity and their salvation. We could have been destroyed instantly by God or consumed by His wrath when we sinned yet because of His patience, we are told in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” We are also greatly reminded by Peter that “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) Beloved in the Lord, always remember that you are saved because of God’s patience. Let us continue to live a life in obedience to the grace and patience the Lord has bestowed upon us. Again, let us demonstrate the patience we have received and learnt from God in our relationship with our fellow human beings.

In summary, we have learnt that God’s patience is the withholding of His wrath to grant us the grace to repent and be restored before the day of judgment. Let us not take God’s patience for granted but repent and live a life of obedience to the glory of God.

PRAYER

God Almighty, Thank you for your patience, even in our disobedience. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to live a life of repentance and obedience in fulfilling the purpose of Your patience in our lives. Amen.