There’s an awful lot in this passage, but I would like to focus on verses 24 & 25. The reference is to the whole passage so that we can see it in the right context.
These two verses are carrying on the discussion from the previous verses and applying them. They also tell us to consider our present living in this world as Christians.
The verses refer to “hope” – Paul is saying that there is no point in having hope for what we already have – hope is waiting patiently for what we pray for and for our final salvation. The very last word is “patiently” and it’s patience that I’d like to talk about.
Patience is a virtue – that’s a well-used statement– it is usually listed as one of the seven so called heavenly virtues – sometimes interchanged for fortitude. According to my concordance, “patience”, “patient” or “patiently” occur 45 times in the Bible.
I am not very long on patience – this study is for me as much as it is for anybody.
In the passage, Paul is asking us to be patient. He describes how creation has been imperfect and how life is frustrating, but ultimately it will be worth enduring in the hope of the Glory to come.
Days can be long, hard, and incredibly stressful – even in normal times. Now, in lockdown, even though it’s easing, the days are still stressful with our concerns about safety and infection – especially when we read and hear about local outbreaks. So when we’re exhausted or worried, finding patience is likely to be the last thing on our minds — but it should be really be the first. During difficult times, many people turn to God or prayer for guidance – even those who don’t normally profess any faith.
Life is frustrating at the best of times and especially just now. You just need to watch the news and see the way people have been rushing to get to the shops and parks and beaches, with little consideration given to their own or others’ safety.
Patience is described in a dictionary as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.”
Patience is talked about throughout the Bible in the Old and New Testaments. According to 1 Samuel “lack of patience can cause you to miss blessings.” Being patient is a vital part of trusting in God as our life circumstances are not always what we’d prefer. There are many well-known Bible verses that discuss the importance of patience and appreciation for the present moment, especially relationships with each other, our relationship with God, anxiety, forgiveness, and more.
The Bible sums it up pretty well: Love one another as God loves you, be calm in times of anger, and be quick to forgive. If we reflect on these key values during the most impatient times of our lives, we’ll be sure to feel God’s guidance and calm wash over us. If we ask for the Lord’s help and if we are patient enough to receive it, he will give it when we need it most.