Why Wait? Patience!

Patience implies waiting. Patience is Difficult Waiting is not praised or welcomed (doesn’t come natural for us, especially in this instant gratification society) I want it and I want it now—in my way.

Patience is a Process

What ought we to wait for and why? - What should we do while waiting?

We wait for our Perfection Patience is one of God’s characteristics that we are to be like: Jeremiah 15:15 O LORD, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke. Jeremiah 15:15 Luke 21:19 By your patience possess your souls. Luke 21:19 James 1:3-4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Patience prepares us for our great reward Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25:21

Our work on earth as Sojourners requires patience And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country...for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.Hebrews 11:9-10 Abraham lived as a sojourner— awaiting for the true dwelling place—made by God. Patience takes faith. The children of God are in a status of waiting. We are waiting for the salvation of the Lord—to be completed in each one of our lives. The story of salvation for each one of us is different, the details differ. God’s plan is in his time, not ours---God doesn’t forget his promises. He is faithful.

He makes all things beautiful in His Time Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its timeEcclesiastes 3:11 God prepares us, our struggles to develop us into His good and perfect will for us—and this requires patience. Genesis 37: 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." The series of events that happened in order for this prophesy to happen, was all kinds of struggles and events that were opposite of the prophesy…but what was Joseph’s attitude in the process?

“All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes.” Job 14:14 Wait for change to happen in us, not in others Accept the struggles and challenges hoping they accompany change in us. Don’t lose hope in the spiritual struggle, change doesn’t happen over night—it’s a life long struggle requiring patience Wait for the change to happen

Wait for His good will to be revealed “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” Accept his Guidance, live with His word. We get frustrated when we don’t get our way, our expectations (Namaan example). Expectations, God exceeds our expectations if we’d let Him—Naaman the Syrian. 2 Kings 5:1-15

Wait for prayers to be answered in due time “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 25:5 God answers prayers with No, Yes or Wait.

“ These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season.”-Divine Liturgy Do we wait on him or do we do it our own way? We solve the issue with our own hands. Wait for His providences everyday

Good thing God has a sense of humor--- because we make Him laugh all the time! We Like to be in Control

Wait for Him to execute justice Psalm 104:27 “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the LORD, and He will save you.” The moment I feel compelled to take justice into my own hands, then I’ve lost my faith that God will do it, I can’t wait for him anymore.

Wait for your reward from Him Proverbs 20:22 “Wait on the LORD, and keep His way Our end reward is our Motivation along the way! “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”Philippians 3:20 Psalm 37:34, “He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.”

Patience can accomplish great things A miniature city made out of millions of toothpicks It took 38 year old Stan Munro 6 years to build this toothpick city. He used 6 million toothpicks and 170 litres of glue. He can spend up to 6 months to create a building and each of his creations is built to 1:164 scale. He works at the Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse, New York ( USA ).

Look at the amazing works of one of the most patient men in the world.

Amen Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name be the Glory.