Daily Companion  | 29 October

BE PATIENT IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WILL

“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. “I didn’t move. Dad, I didn't move”, the boy said trembling. The Father embraced him, kissed him and they both left unhurt. 

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

Every believer with the Holy Spirit (whose one of His fruits is Patience) needs a deeper understanding of how to be patient and withstand life's blows: sudden or insidious. 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, and one another, and be patient with God and other people! 

God is patient. God shows 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. Remain calm in the face of adversity until your god instructs you to act otherwise. Don't rush ahead of God. 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 long-suffering. Wherever I go, may the virtue of patience clothe me and make me an ‘ender’ of strife and a winner of soul in Jesus’ name. Amen   

 Today’s Hymn: TRUST AND OBEY

Today’s ReadMe:  Romans 14 - 16