The Gooch Lane church of Christ is a group of people in Madison, Alabama seeking to study the Bible and put God’s teachings into practice. We’d love to have you join us for Bible study and worship.
All in Patience
Our natural inclination during these periods of waiting is anxiety at the uncertainty they possess. Here are some things to consider the next time you are made to wait for something in your life.
Have you ever gone on a long road trip? As you drove, did you notice historical markers along the way indicating past people and events? Admittedly, I generally drive past most of those historical markers. Once in a while, however, I will stop to read and consider the information that is provided.
Many think that David is the author of Psalm 27 and that he wrote it when he was fleeing from Saul. It has been called “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” It starts with David expressing great confidence in God (1-3). God is his light, salvation, and strength. He next speaks of his love for and communion with God (4-6) as the tone goes from celebration to contemplation. In the next section (7-12), the writer goes from contemplation to crying out and pleading to God in prayer. Finally, in the last part (13-14), he concludes by speaking of the power of faith and then advises and encourages others.
“Come on in, the door’s unlocked!” were the words I heard from my aged brother in Christ when I knocked on his door late one afternoon. I went in and found him stretched across an island counter in his kitchen, feet on the floor on one side, body draped across the counter. He said, “I can’t sit or lie down without awful pain, but I can get relief when I stretch across this counter.” “Brother Tom, I’m so sorry. That’s terrible,” I said. He replied, “No, no, I need to learn patience!” Somehow, my brother had decided that the pain he was experiencing would give him an opportunity to “learn patience.”
When one becomes a Christian, the concept of time changes and produces a rather oxymoronic situation: While there is a keen knowledge that the grave is coming and that every opportunity in this life should be seized for God’s glory, there is also the realization that the people of God have transitioned to eternal life.
Christians have a responsibility that never needs to be put on hiatus: Praying for those in government to make godly decisions.
Our lives are often full of uncontrollable predicaments. Our patience is to develop as we wait for God to work out this plan in His way and in His time.
This world is filled with uncertainty, pain, and suffering. Perhaps we’ve been so blessed in the past, that we’ve forgotten that we’re not actually the one’s in control. Let us take this time to refocus on the One who is in control.
