Patience

In John 1:10, 31 and 33 John the Apostle declared that when Jesus came into the world, the world, even John himself, would not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, as the deliverer, as the Word made flesh.

John 1:10 He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him (did not know Him). John 1:31 And I did not know Him and did not recognize him [myself] … John 1:33 And I did not know Him nor recognize Him … Amplified

Pondering on this for sometime, curious at how some most assuredly knew and some could not have known or recognized the deity of Jesus as the Messiah. 

John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and his mother Elizabeth knew and believed when Mary came to her to share the news of Jesus’ conception.  For John the Baptist recognized Jesus even from the womb and leapt for joy.

To imagine what directives must have taken place regarding sharing this revelation with others can only be measured by other happenings and statutes in the word.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. Amplified

Because there was a specific purpose for the Son of Man to be revealed at a designated time, those who knew could not take it upon themselves to reveal it.

What self control and discipline must have been exercised by these men and women of God, certainly a standard by which to gage our own discipline.

We get so excited over each little new word or revelation or event, immediately seeking out someone to share it with. We feel an instant urge to act on it, to proceed forward accordingly.

I have to ask myself, could I have kept this glorious revelation to myself until the appointed hour, sharing it only with the single person that God chose for it to be shared with?

We frequently ask God in prayer over and over for knowledge about our future, our call and our purpose. We ask Him to show us what is ahead for us, usually out of a zealous heart which is willing to follow God’s designated path for us.

But can we be trusted with future revelations? Do we posses the discipline and self control to ‘wait on the Lord’ until His appointed time? Are we content to patiently wait, only preparing for that time and not rushing ahead?

Since He created us, God knows our human nature well. He will give us only what we can be trusted with.  Beyond that we must simply wait, trusting Him. Waiting develops trust and when full trust is achieved, the fruit of the Spirit flourishes, particularly self control.

True trust is abiding in Him, waiting.  II John 1:9 says that anyone who runs on ahead of God, not abiding in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God.

II John 1:9 Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God … Amplified

God’s purpose for our lives consists of a plan and a time for that plan. When He shows us the plan, we must wait patiently for the time. Attempting to bring to pass the plan in our own time  and in our own way, removes the plan out of the will of God. When that happens, the plan is no longer God’s plan because the timing is wrong.

In our fast paced world, I believe it is much more difficult to wait patiently. God and His purpose for our lives are not instant. By rushing ahead of God we expend unnecessary energy. By waiting on God, we gain strength as it says in Isaiah 40:31. 

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Amplified

But a day will come for the appointed hour.

John 2:1-5 1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited with His disciples to the wedding. 3 And when the wine was all gone, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no more wine! 4 Jesus said to her, [Dear] woman, what is that to you are to Me? [What have we in common? Leave it to Me.] My time (hour to act) has not yet come. 5 His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it. Amplified

How precious it was that when it was time for Jesus to begin His ministry, the one who knew first, the one who had kept the secret the longest was the one to declare that the time had come. Oh my, what patience.

 Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire


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Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that for everything there is a time and a purpose for that time.