Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church
What a wonderful month of May we are enjoying here in Atchison County. I am enjoying the spring weather and being outside as much as possible. May is usually my favorite month of the year to be in northwest Missouri, with all the wonderful signs of Spring and new growth in the natural world we enjoy. Thanks be to God!
For this article I am going to write some on the topic of PATIENCE. Paul’s list in Galatians 5:22,23 is called the fruit of the Spirit which comes to us as one fruit (singular) but with different parts (plural). To remind us here is the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As we consider patience it is good to remember Job and his suffering, as well as the triumph and victory promised to believers at the second coming of Jesus Christ. James 5:7-11 gives us the following:
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door! Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about – the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
1) I am reminded first to be a good farmer and supporter of farming. We put seeds in the ground and wait patiently for a harvest still yet to come. That is what makes spring so exciting, but also challenging.
2) Family relationships should be good and hearts strengthened when we practice patience. It is helpful to avoid complaining as we all have difficulties to bear. I can feel the blessing of the process of endurance, as I see the Lord providing me compassion and mercy.
3) We look forward to gathering in fellowship together and to experience God together. God does not leave us alone, but promises His blessing with the outcome that He brings about, as He did with Job. He gives His comfort by His Holy Spirit, personal and available at anytime, to anyone in need.
It is wonderful to see God use His Word in my life and in the lives of all of us as we gather. Sometimes the process is obvious and immediate, sometimes it is slow and difficult. Either way we look to God and trust Him in all things. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at rockportbaptistchurch.com.
