Patience | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 18, 1871

Patience.

AMONG the many Christian graces spoken of by the Saviour and his apostles, that of patience, under all circumstances, stands pre-eminently first, and yet we regret to say it is sadly deficient in many of the professed followers of Christ in these last days. Some little trifling matter comes up to disturb their equanimity, and ere they are aware of it, they are giving way to hasty, impatient words over this, that, or the other thing, making not only themselves wretched, but every one about them. Now, brother, sister, this ought not so to be. What if every body does not do just as you would like to have him, is that any reason you should indulge in impatient and useless complainings over what other people may say and do? Jesus says, “In your patience possess ye your souls.” And has he not given us a most touching example of patience and endurance, under circumstances peculiarly trying and afflictive? At one time we see him weary and faint from long fasting in the wilderness, yet no murmur escapes his lips, and with a cheerful voice we hear him replying to the specious words of the subtle enemy, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Again, when forsaken by his loved disciples, reviled and persecuted by his enemies, and about to suffer an ignominious death on the cross, he meekly bears it all, and from the depths of his loving heart exclaims, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The beloved Paul is another example of long-suffering and patience, and in his epistle to his Hebrew brethren we hear him exhorting them to be patient toward all men. “For,” said he, “ye have need of patience, that after having done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

It is true, the Christian’s life is one of continued warfare, fightings without and foes within, and the apostle James in alluding to this matter uses the following language: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience; but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Again, we are exhorted to run with patience the race set before us, ever looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Dear reader, are you sometimes weary of life’s cares and toils, its sin and sorrow, pain and death, and from the fullness of your heart are led to exclaim, almost impatiently, “Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly, and put an end to all things”? If so, let me entreat you to heed the admonition of the inspired writer, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain.” “Be ye also patient; establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”—Woman and her Work.