The Patience of God

 

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. (Psalm 86:15-17 ESV).

 

Patience is a difficult behavior for many, of which I am one. Last year (pre-covid) while traveling to Ft. Worth, I came to a traffic jam because of a stalled car. It was interesting to see the reaction of the folks waiting in line behind the car. This happened at a traffic light along a major commuter route. I happened to be third in line behind the stalled car. The driver of the stalled vehicle was frustrated as she tried to get her car going. I could tell by the sound of the motor trying to turn over that the battery was working properly. It has to be the starter that caused her engine to die, refusing to turn over again. The motorist between me and the woman was pretty frustrated, honking his horn incessantly. Finally, the red-faced lady got out of her car and walked back to the other motorist and said, "I'm awfully sorry, but I don't seem to be able to start my car. If you'll go up there and start it for me, I'll stay here and honk your horn."

I was really glad that, at least that time, I hadn't joined in on the horn honking. Still, as I look back, there are far too many times in my life when I have been impatient with others, times when I didn't stop to think of how someone else might feel.It doesn't make any difference whether I showed my impatience with a car horn or a disgusted look, or taunting words, I was impatient, unnecessarily impatient.

This takes me to the point of this devotion. Each of us ought to be incredibly grateful the Lord isn't so impatient with us. With all our flaws and failings, our sins and shortcomings, our terrible transgressions, an impatient Lord would be justified if He turned this planet into a fiery ball of uninhabitable wasteland. But that's not what He does. The Lord answers the Psalmist's prayer and has mercy on us. By the sending of His Son, through the forgiving of our sins, by the calling and ongoing protection of the Holy Spirit, the Lord shows us He is longsuffering.

That's the word for Him. I have a Lord who is longsuffering. And I thank Him that He is. Let that be your thought today as we march toward Passion Week and Easter Sunday.