God's Patience Gives Hope

Let us never forget his patience so that we are constantly grateful and glad

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15–16).

Photo by Joshua Duneebon on Unsplash

God tells us over and over again in his word that he is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” He shows it throughout the Old Testament, bearing with his people as they rebel and wander and forsake him–calling them back to himself, warning them of the consequences and judgment their actions will bring. And then, he accepts them over and over again and reaffirms his love for them each time they repent. 

Each of us, if we are paying attention, recognizes this same patience toward us. God has been so slow to condemn and so ready to forgive, welcome, and restore. None of us has received the condemnation we deserved, so long as we have turned to Jesus. He has displayed his perfect patience toward each of us, providing us the opportunity and the means to repent and be restored. 

Because of this, our lives can be beacons of hope for those who believe they are beyond forgiveness and think they have sinned too much or gone too far for God to reach them. Because of what we have received, we can be proclaimers of God’s mercy and exemplars of his kindness so that those who think they have no hope find eternal hope in Jesus. God has loved us, shown mercy to us, and been patient with us so that all those magnificent realities would be on display through us. 

Let us never forget his patience so that we are constantly grateful and glad. And as we consider those we know and love who have yet to turn to Jesus, let’s ask God to give us a dose of his patience so that we can give them ongoing mercy and can persevere in prayer. Remember that God’s timing is always perfect and not defined by our preference; he works in mighty ways at just the right time, so we can wait on him for every need, every prayer, and every yearning of our hearts.