Remembering How Patient God Has Been With Us
Nehemiah 9:16-21; Lamentations 3:22-23
Devotion This week I had a conversation individually with nine people. Each person was asked the same question, which I chose. I told each person to pause, reflect, and then respond. The question was: “How has God revealed His patience toward you during your life? How has He proved that He is a divinely patient Father?”
The responses varied, yet there were some common expressions and reflections. Each person, after thinking back over their life, sighed. The sigh represented the experience of God’s repeated forgiveness and the kindness of His extended grace. Each person marveled at God’s distinct holiness—Him being so different from ourselves, able to endure our failures and sins. Several said they could never tolerate a relationship with another person who regularly breaks a promise or fails to follow through. Several rejoiced in the reflection as they considered the marvelous attribute of God as the perfect, patient Father.
God has spoken several times in His Word declaring His character. Here in Nehemiah 9, after a long review of God’s great mercies, protection, provision, and rescue, we see Israel’s sinful, rebellious response—they were stiff-necked and disobedient. God had righteous anger, yet He was still willing to show mercy, steadfast love, and forgiveness rather than abandoning them. He chose not to forsake them.
In the incredible relationship that Moses enjoyed with God, the Lord decided to proclaim His identity to His servant: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7). Each of those I interviewed spoke of His amazing forgiveness and His remarkable patience experienced in their walk with God.
There are many ways God has revealed Himself to us, bringing about our love response. It seemed to me that those interviewed were a bit stunned by His mercy and steadfast love. It led some of them to stop and give Him praise and thanksgiving—praise to the only great God who deals with us in repetitive forgiveness, even choosing to forget our sins and release fresh and amazing grace. No wonder that those who know God love Him.
During this same week, while praying with our staff, one of the leaders humbly prayed, “We love You, we love You, we love You, it’s all we can say.” Her voice and tone reflected a heartfelt passion for our Lord, evidence of His nearness and beauty.
God’s amazing patience is just one of His sparkling attributes. And by His love, it is a transferable quality. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit produces godly patience in the children of God. This fruit of the Spirit makes us more like Him. Deeply patient brothers and sisters in Christ are wonderful—wonderful in community and in all relationships, because they are like God, like our Jesus was with His young disciples, and now with all of us. Our Lord continues to be full of grace and mercy, even though at times we resemble Israel in the wilderness: stubborn, stiff-necked, and unfaithful.
Another intriguing truth about God is that He is love. Paul, writing to the early church, communicated what divine love looked like—slow down here and think again of His love for you: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Paul taught that faith, hope, and love were the most excellent spiritual gifts, and that love is the greatest of these.
Having been a teacher for the past 50 years, I have always appreciated using good questions to get students to think.
Question to Consider
How has God displayed His wonderful patience in your life? Perhaps you can share your answer with someone—they would be blessed to hear your story of grace and mercy.
Prayer Prompt
Lord, as I finish this devotional, I have no petitions to ask, only praise to give. Lord, I love You because…
