1.  Patience is something that each of us struggles with from time to time. Whether it is something going on in our lives or someone doing something we don’t understand. It creates problems for us. 1

2.  The prophet Isaiah tells us that patience is essential and that those who wait on the Lord will be refreshed (rewarded). 2

3. 3 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

4.  Let's consider these words, which well describe one virtue that should characterize every Christian: Patience. 4

5.  This Is The Definition Of Christian Patience  We are often exhorted in the NT to be patient or longsuffering - Lk 21:19; Heb 10:36; Heb. 12:1; Jas. 5:7 5

6. 6 By your patience possess your souls. Luke 21:19 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: Hebrews 10:36 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7

7.  This Is The Definition Of Christian Patience  The patience of a Christian, however, is different from the patience of others: it is not as the world gives, but as the Lord gives.  It is not "waiting something out," but "waiting for the Lord." 7

8.  This Is The Definition Of Christian Patience  The patience of a Christian, however, is different from the patience of others: it is not as the world gives, but as the Lord gives.  It's purpose is not earthly success, but to cause us to be faithful and pleasing to God instead of returning to the world. 8

9.  This Is The Definition Of Christian Patience  If we were to define Christian patience, we would say that it means waiting on the Lord...  By trusting him, putting the future in his hands, expecting and anticipating God's tomorrow. 9

10.  This Is The Definition Of Christian Patience  If we were to define Christian patience, we would say that it means waiting on the Lord...  By continuing faithful, persevering in our commitment to Christ. 10

11.  This Is The Definition Of Christian Patience  If we were to define Christian patience, we would say that it means waiting on the Lord...  By being quiet in spirit in a turbulent time, at peace though not content - Isa. 30:15; Phil 4:6-7 11

12.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Frustration  Those times during which we are denied those things that we need, OR that we think we need.  With some....  The circumstance of frustration leads to the attitude of frustration--they are gloomy, bitter, angry, judgmental, etc. 12

13.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Frustration  Those times during which we are denied those things that we need, or that we think we need.  With some....  They turn from the Lord, instead of turning closer to him. 13

14.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Frustration  Those times during which we are denied those things that we need, or that we think we need.  With some....  In frustration, pray and wait....and let what good come from it that can - Deut. 8:2-5 14

15. 15 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. Deuteronomy 8:2-5

16.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Affliction and perplexity  Affliction and perplexity might have to be endured - Jas. 5:11; Ps. 73  Instead of trying to understand, endure  Instead of stoically enduring, wait for the Lord 16 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

17.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Doing good  There is the patience needed by Israel in the wilderness, and Job on the ash heap, but there is also that needed by Elijah on the mountain - 1 Ki. 19:10 17

18. 18 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 1 Kings 19:10

19.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Doing good  There is the patience needed by Israel in the wilderness, and Job on the ash heap, but there is also that needed by Elijah on the mountain - 1 Ki. 19:10  This is the ability to go on doing good, even though we see little results. 19

20.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Doing good  Consider this--sometimes the prophets were told from the start that their good labors would do no good whatsoever - Isa. 6:8ff; Jer 13:23 20

21. 21 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 9 And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10 Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." Isaiah 6:8-10 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil. Jeremiah 13:23

22.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient In…  Doing good  Consider this--sometimes the prophets were told from the start that their good labors would do no good whatsoever - Isa. 6:8ff; Jer 13:23  Regardless of the results, we must continue to plant and water, and wait for God to bring the increase - 1 Cor. 3:6; Jas. 5:7; 1 Cor 15:58 22

23. 23 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

24.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Others  As we are often exhorted - 1 Cor 13:4; Eph 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:14 24

25. 25 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 1 Corinthians 13:4 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

26.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Others  Patience with them doesn't mean holding back action, but persisting in doing good to them. 26

27.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Others  This, too, is a matter of waiting for God.  It is much easier to be patient with others when you remember that you are not just waiting for them, you are waiting for the Lord. 27

28.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Others  Remember, too, how patient the Lord is with them, and how patient he has been with you - 2 Pet. 3:9 28

29. 29 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

30.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Self  We go through times when we are weak  Struggling with a personal weakness or temptation that often defeats us.  Feeling "low" spiritually; plagued by bad thoughts, attitudes, moods.  Troubled by uncertainties, doubts. 30

31.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Self  We are promised that those who wait for the Lord will be renewed - Isa. 40:31; 2 Cor. 3:16; Eph 4:23; Rom 12:2 31

32. 32 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, Ephesians 4:23 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

33.  Wait For The Lord And Be Patient With…  Self  If the Lord is patient with me, then I should be patient with me too. 33

34.  Are you waiting for the Lord?  Hardly a day will go by when you will not be called upon in some way to wait for the Lord. 34