One May Wonder why these two words are put together. If we study the meaning of the two words wait, and patient, we will see they have two different meanings. However, they also tend to compliment each other.
To wait means: to remain in readiness or anticipation; to remain undone; to be ready; to be or remain in expectation of something. For example, we wait for the coming of Jesus. We expect him to return to earth some day. We are in expectation of his coming.
To be patient means: enduring pain or trouble, without complaint; calmly tolerating insult, delay, et cetera; diligent, persevering.
While in this world waiting for our Saviour, we experience many pains, troubles and trials. Many of us find ourselves in difficult, depressing and discouraging situations. We may sometimes wonder if things can get any worse in our personal lives. Can world conditions decline any further from the wicked and evil state that already surrounds us? Every time we hear the news or read the newspapers, magazines or other publications, there are constant reports of war, abuse, suicide, bankruptcy, mayhem and so on. Good news, some people say, does not sell. However, it is disturbing to see the amount of bad news that pervades this world. It is also concerning to recognize the number of problems and dilemmas we experience in our personal lives. Yet we are encouraged to remain patient and calm in our situations, to try not to complain but pray to our Heavenly Father. We should do as written in I Peter 5:7, “Cast all your cares upon him for he cares for you.”
There are many times in this world when we must wait for things to happen; for important appointments, recovery of health, for family or business matters to develop to a certain stage. We must wait and, at times, the waiting seems to be longer than we originally anticipated. However, we remain in great expectation of that which we are waiting for. While waiting we sometimes experience anxiety, disappointment, or inconvenience of not having that for which we are waiting. It is then that we must be patient and continue in hopeful expectation.
Importance of patience
Let us now elaborate more on patience because a lack of patience can create discouragement. This is because patience is so often connected with troubles and trials. God Himself is the author of patience; in Romans 15:5 Paul said, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.” From this verse we see that we must all be like-minded and be patient not only towards things concerning ourselves but also toward each other. We must continue to console each other through our trials and we must also be able through godly patience to console ourselves. Romans 15:4 teaches us, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope.” Notice how hope and patience relate; patience leads to hope. In order for you to be patient you must also be hopeful about the situation you are being patient about.
God is extremely patient toward His creation; men and women who were created with such marvelous capacities designed to bring glory to His name. We were put on this earth to walk with Him and to be in harmony with Him. Unfortunately, we fail Him. Still, God is waiting patiently for that day when we will walk with Him as He intended. God is patiently enduring the pain of our waywardness. He did His part to redeem us. He sent His Son to die for our sins. He has created a way for us to come back to Him. In the same way as we wait patiently on situations concerning our lives; we must also do our part. We must work, pray and labour without complaint.
The patience of God
God is the author of patience and Christ was the greatest example of patience. “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ” (II Thess. 3:5). The pain and suffering Christ received on this earth for his fellow men surpasses any troubles or trials we may have. Yet in all his difficult experiences, he remained patient and calm and loving toward us, patient within himself and with his Father and totally committed to the cause for which he came. Now he is with the Father waiting with great anticipation and expectation to return to this earth.
One may ask, “How can we have patience like Jesus? He is the son of God.” The answer is to develop the “fruit of the Spirit.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Gal. 5:22-23). Jesus developed a character that produced this fruit. This development is key to our waiting patiently for “the coming of the Lord.”
We must always remember that troubles do not last always. They last only for a season. Life is like a roller-coaster ride. There are ups and downs that we race through. Still, in everything we do, we must remain patient and continue to work toward the goal of the Kingdom. If we persevere in faith, we will be rewarded; that is the promise of God. “Count it all joy when you receive your tribulations. For tribulation worketh patience and patience hope.” If a man has hope, he will view his entire circumstance through different eyes. Everything will look different. Our future has brightness and joy and eternal qualities will abound.
Therefore, wait and be patient for “the Lord is at hand.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One