[revival-fire] Patience - The Virtue of a Fool?

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PATIENCE - THE VIRTUE OF A FOOL? As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. James 5:10 In the midst of desert experiences, the call to patience can sound hollow. I want to know how long my suffering is going to last? And what is the point of it? James calls me to remember the prophets. Abraham received a promise but he never saw it fulfilled in his lifetime. In spite of that, I don't recall his story and say, "What a fool!" Instead, I am inspired by his faith. He believed God that his daily endurance would yield a nation, even if beyond his own death. What of the old man or woman who prays for a lifetime for the spiritual return of a child? Fifty years of praying amidst little encouragement can appear to be futile. Yet, when that child returns to God, often surrounding the deathbed of that parent, I would never say that their patience in prayer was wasted. The word 'patience' in Greek, in this text, is a rare word. That is because Greeks didn't consider it a virtue. They admired a man who took revenge on his enemies and who rose up to retaliate against injustice. To call believers in that culture to be patient was to go against the grain of their upbringing, their culture, their default way of reacting. How much his words must have strained against their internal radar. While some, by nature, are more patient than others, this message still grates against our soulish ways. I can find it in myself to be patient for a month or two, but when my internal resources are tapped out, waiting begins to drain me. The dailyness of required patience is just too difficult. My ache for any relief tempts me to rise up and make things happen. When I am waiting for godliness to take root in someone I love, I would rather browbeat them with guilt messages than patiently wait for God to bring about changes by His Spirit. When I am in a long season of travail, the only sustaining power comes from my root system. I am the tree in Psalm One; the one who is fruitful in any season because I have planted myself by streams of living water. To extract the moisture needed to thrive in any weather, I live on the promises of the One who never lies to make me feel better. Every promise is mine and will come true. The love behind the words sustains me - for yet another day. It's hot, and dry. Your rains nourish me today and my roots soak in Your presence. I patiently stand tall, my foliage full and green, and I can even offer some shade and invite others to rest beneath my branches. As they do, I pray they will taste of Your water. Amen Christine Wyrtzen www. daughtersofpromise. org..

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