Examples of Patience
Do you have the capability to learn from the examples of others?
Verse of the Day
“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
Today’s Devotional
Today’s verse comes from a section of the book of James where we are told to be patient in waiting for the Lord’s return. Then, right before today’s verse, there is another command: “Don’t grumble about each other or you will be judged.” That makes me wonder if our grumbling and complaining about other people is a sign that we are not being patient in waiting for Jesus to come back.
Then we are told to look at the prophets for examples of patience. So let’s do that.
“Has no one told you, my lord, about the time when Jezebel was trying to kill the Lord’s prophets? I hid 100 of them in two caves and supplied them with food and water.” (1 Kings 18:13) This was Obadiah speaking to Elijah. The point here is to see that God’s prophets were trying to be murdered by Jezebel. Yet through Obadiah, God provided for their safety and the provision of their physical needs. The threat of murder did not make these prophets recant God’s message.
“He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” (1 Kings 19:14) This was Elijah speaking to God. Being a messenger for God does not guarantee peace and comfort, to which Elijah could attest. However, God sent an angel to provide the food and water Elijah needed. God also showed Elijah that He was present in a gentle whisper, and this was after Elijah had a major pity party and asked God to allow him to die.
“May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t separate Elisha’s head from his shoulders this very day,” the king vowed.” (2 Kings 6:31) This is the king of Israel blaming Elisha for a famine. Elisha was not responsible for the famine, yet still the king wanted him dead.
The prophet Jeremiah, over the course of his life of trying to get God’s chosen people to repent of their sins, was arrested, whipped, put in stocks, imprisoned, and put in a dungeon. (Jeremiah 20:2, 32:2, 37:16)
Now, I know that most of us are not “prophets”. But we are told in today’s verse to look at the examples of patience and suffering of the prophets. The lesson I am learning is that obedience doesn’t always produce the circumstances on this earth that I would hope for. Yet God calls us to be obedient no matter what. I see that in the midst of obedience, God provides for the needs of His people. I can see that God’s promises may not be completely fulfilled while I am alive on this earth. I can see the need to trust Him.
Imagine the ridicule Noah likely endured as he was building the ark. Are we willing to continue to obey in the midst of ridicule from our fellows? Are we willing to obey even when our emotions are telling us to cut and run? Are we willing to obey even if our life is in danger? Are we willing to obey even if we are blamed for things that are not our fault?
I can’t answer those questions for anyone but myself. And I know that without a daily, intentional connection with my Father, there’s no way I can learn to have the patience of the prophets. But I long to learn lessons from the examples of others, rather than having to learn from my mistakes. May God grant that we are willing to be teachable by the examples of His faithful followers, both those in the Bible, and the ones we are blessed to have in our lives.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
Do you have the capability to learn from the examples of others? How? When have you missed this opportunity and what was the outcome?
How do your expectations of obedience and the examples above differ? How are they similar?
What lessons could you learn from the prophets and their willingness to obey no matter the cost?
How patient are you with the circumstances of your life today? How can you ask for God’s help with that?