Daily Companion  |  26 June

OBEDIENCE IN PATIENCE

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. - Hebrews 10:36

A father took his son out to the park one day and on finding a seat at the park, the father decided to buy snacks but warned the boy, “Do not move”. A moment after the father left there was a blast at the park and everyone was running for cover but the boy sat still though terrified. The father rushed back to find his boy still seated. “Daddy, I didn’t move.” The Father embraced him, kissed him and they both left unhurt. 

The ability to withstand or tolerate trouble, delay, or suffering without getting unsettled or angry is called patience. As in the short story, the bedrock of patience is obedience. Without total obedience, it is impossible to be patient and that patience is a hard virtue to maintain!

Every believer with the Holy Spirit (whose one of His fruits is Patience) needs deeper understanding of how to be patient and withstand life's blow, sudden or insiduous. And such understanding must be in love. Christ says, "If you love me, you’ll keep my commandment". In the definition of obedience in patience, love is number 1 (1 Corinthians 13). Hence, the greatest commandment is to love God, our family, one another, and being patient with God and other people! 

Our God is patient too. God has and is displaying His patience with us despite our disregard and disobedience to Him. He remains patient with us wishing and waiting for us to repent (2 Peter 3:9). 

Beloved, wherever you find yourself, the virtue of patience is required from you. Not only will this prove to the world that you are truly an obedient child of your heavenly Father, but it will make you a peace-lover and winner of souls. “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7).     

Today’s Recite: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4.   

 Today’s Morning Prayer: O God, I humble myself before You this day to receive grace to be obedient and patient. Help me to endure longsuffering. Wherever I go, may the virtue of patience cloth me and make me an ‘ender’ of strife and a winner of soul in Jesus’ name. Amen   

 Today’s Hymn: Let Others See Jesus in You

Today’s ReadMe:  Psalm 96 - 100