The Perfect Work of Patience

"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:4

Patience is one of those things we don't like to talk about and often fail to appreciate. Grasping its true beauty and value is something I believe God wants us all to learn.

Consider Abraham.  At age 75 he received the beautiful promise from God of a blood heir.  It was 25 years, however, before Abraham and Sarah would welcome Isaac, the son of promise.  Why the 25-year wait?  While none of us can be certain of all the details in God's magnificent plan to bless all humanity, we can be sure it is ALWAYS good.  

Scripture tells us in Romans 4:20, "But Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened" (TLB).

Could it be that at age 75 Abraham was not yet ready to receive the precious son of promise?  Would Abraham have been willing to give up the gift of Isaac on the altar before the appointed ask?  We don't know the answers to these questions, but we do know that Abraham was sure of God's promise, and this faith in God's goodness assured him of a glorious future with great joy.

There are many more stories of waiting throughout Scripture.  Many are much, much longer than 25 years.  In all of the waiting, it is not God's plan to torture us, but rather, to bless us.

The most beautiful part—though it is all beautiful—is the hope we receive through the Holy Spirit.  This hope sustains us in the waiting for we know God can be trusted to keep His every promise to us.  Since we know God's timing to be perfect, I have found that when I am most impatient He lovingly whispers to my heart, "let patience have its perfect work."  And lest we leave out the rest of this amazing verse, "that [we] may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Lacking. Nothing.

Wow.

Are you wondering how much longer you have to wait before receiving your promised answer?  

Let patience have its perfect work.

Goodnight, Runners.