p. 2 | HAVE PATIENCE by N. Y. Observer

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 20, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 25.

HAVE PATIENCE.

By N. Y. Observer

"SEVENTY times seven." What a test! Does Jesus actually mean that we shall forgive an offender four hundred and ninety times? Yea, more, for this number is only a play on the number seven, which Peter mentioned as a possible limit to our endurance. It enjoins unlimited patience and a willingness to bear with the ill-deserving, in the hope of winning them to a nobler spirit.

This is God's way with us. He suffers long and is kind. His love never faileth. Patience is born of love. How continuously the parent is called to bear with the child! What hope would there be for the child if this were not so? It is doubtful if people often thank God for His patience. "His loving-kindnesses are ever of old." His tender mercies are the basis of our hope.

In all our dealings with others, we should become possessors of God's patience. "Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." The weak need our patient help. Sin and ignorance need it. No one can minister to any human infirmity without it. Patience is an intelligent virtue. It comprehends the situation. It measures the want and capacity of the individual needing assistance. For this reason it is able to pity, and give sympathy, and wait and forgive.

Patience implies complete self-mastery. Aggravating trials are enough, it is said, "to provoke a saint." But patience is a saintliness that rises above provocation. The equipoise of some people, in the face of every kind of ill treatment, is marvelous. It demonstrates the great spiritual fact that God's strength may possess our weak hearts; that we can become so indwelt by His Spirit as to hold impatience and passion under constant and complete control. That there are such people in the world is sufficient to show that there might be more, and that we may belong to the number.

Patience is always hopeful. It believes enough in the lost to labor for their recovery. It makes its possessor optimistic also regarding the outcome of his own trials. He sees the smile of God behind every cloud. He has confidence in the final outcome of life. He prefers rather "to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." No "hard times" can daunt his courage or overthrow his faith. Patience with others, with circumstances, with all forms of trial, disappointment, and ill, is the Christian's duty, nay, more, his high privilege and glory.—N. Y. Observer.