"Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."
Revelation 13:10
Only once have I baked a cake. The men of the church where I served as pastor sponsored a cake bake. A committee judged the cakes to recognize the winners. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a slice or two of their cake of choice. We were on the honor system not to receive outside help. I knew that I had to go just by the recipe. The ingredients were mixed together and then it was placed into the oven. Now, that hard part was to wait with patience to see if I had a mess or a cake. It came out of the oven fine, but I was anxious during those waiting minutes. The hardest part for me was waiting with patience. Yet, without patience, the results could be discouraging. So it is in our relationship with God. We pray with faith, but patience must not be forgotten.
John was an exile for his faith on the isle of Patmos when he wrote the book of Revelation. It was not popular to be a Christian. Thousands faced martyrdom for their faith. It is in this context that our verse for today is written. He reminded persecuted believers that faith must be united with patience. The persecuted church cried out to God in prayer. From what one could see, it appeared that God was not hearing them. That's the reason John writes a word of encouragement to bind patience with faith.
Have you become discouraged because it seems that God has not answered your prayers? That doesn't mean that God didn't hear you. It certainly doesn't mean that God will not answer you. It does mean that you must exercise patience with your faith. Impatience prays, "God, this is what I want you to do in my life, and I want you to do it today." Patience prays, "God, this is what I request that you do in my life, and I want you to do it according to Your time for Your glory." Great faith with no patience will not often work. The Holy Spirit works the gift of faith and the fruit of patience in God's children. Maintain faith with patience.
Prayer: Father, we ask You to answer our prayers for Your glory, according to Your timetable. May Your Spirit fill us with faith and patience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Revelation 13:10
Only once have I baked a cake. The men of the church where I served as pastor sponsored a cake bake. A committee judged the cakes to recognize the winners. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a slice or two of their cake of choice. We were on the honor system not to receive outside help. I knew that I had to go just by the recipe. The ingredients were mixed together and then it was placed into the oven. Now, that hard part was to wait with patience to see if I had a mess or a cake. It came out of the oven fine, but I was anxious during those waiting minutes. The hardest part for me was waiting with patience. Yet, without patience, the results could be discouraging. So it is in our relationship with God. We pray with faith, but patience must not be forgotten.
John was an exile for his faith on the isle of Patmos when he wrote the book of Revelation. It was not popular to be a Christian. Thousands faced martyrdom for their faith. It is in this context that our verse for today is written. He reminded persecuted believers that faith must be united with patience. The persecuted church cried out to God in prayer. From what one could see, it appeared that God was not hearing them. That's the reason John writes a word of encouragement to bind patience with faith.
Have you become discouraged because it seems that God has not answered your prayers? That doesn't mean that God didn't hear you. It certainly doesn't mean that God will not answer you. It does mean that you must exercise patience with your faith. Impatience prays, "God, this is what I want you to do in my life, and I want you to do it today." Patience prays, "God, this is what I request that you do in my life, and I want you to do it according to Your time for Your glory." Great faith with no patience will not often work. The Holy Spirit works the gift of faith and the fruit of patience in God's children. Maintain faith with patience.
Prayer: Father, we ask You to answer our prayers for Your glory, according to Your timetable. May Your Spirit fill us with faith and patience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
