Something that I have seen more and more of in recent years are those little signs around construction sites that say, “Thanks for your patience.” I think those signs are wishful thinking. It seems like most folks are not very patient.

Yesterday I shared some words on patience and want to continue that train of thought today on the basis of this passage:

II PETER 3:8-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Often times when you look at the original languages of the Bible, you get a deeper understanding of the significance of passages. The word that our English Bibles translate as “patience” can also be translated as “perseverance”, “forbearance”, or even “long-suffering.” God is long-suffering the sinful world in order to allow us to come to repentance. He has long-suffered man’s rebellion, and continues to do so for the benefit of man.  This is part of the marvel and wonder of our God.

Those of us who have been led to trust in the payment of Jesus for our sins need to understand this. That is what enables us to live the joyful life of the followers of Christ here and now. We are not waiting for our joy to begin. This is not something delayed until you are taken to be with Christ. No, our joy and happiness begin with we realize that in spite of being poor, miserable sinners deserving physical and eternal death, through faith in the Son of God we are righteous in His sight. God was patient with us, allowing us to come to this knowledge and assurance. We now have peace with God. We are ready for His return. But not everyone is. That is why God continues to be patient. For the sake of others. Understanding this might help you bear up under the problems that you will encounter as we go through this world. It might make you be a little more patient with others, too. And wouldn’t that be a wonderful witness for Jesus during this holiday season, if Christians would go out of their way to be patient with others?

Many years ago a manufacturer in Scotland told the Sunday School teacher of a class of poor boys that he would get each of them a new set of clothes. The worst and must unpromising boy was a rascal named Bob. After a few Sundays in his new suit, he started missing class. His teacher tracked him down, and found his new clothes torn and dirty. The manufacturer gave him another suit, but after attending once or twice, Bob started missing again. Utterly discouraged, the teacher reported to the manufacturer that perhaps it would be best to give up. But this generous manufacturer wanted to try one more time. He would give Bob a third suit if he promised to attend regularly. Bob promised, attended faithfully, and was led to the firm conviction that Jesus Christ was truly His Savior and the Savior who had come for all men. The end result is that Bob, the discouraging, ragged, rebellious little boy, became the Rev. Robert Morrison, a great missionary to China who translated the Bible into Chinese, opening the path for millions of others to come to the knowledge of Jesus. All this came about because of a little patience.

God is patient in order to accomplish His goals. And if patience can make that much difference in the earthly realm, which is fleeting, consider how important God’s patience with the world is in the spiritual realm, which is eternal. Yes, He is coming again. We pray in the prayer that He taught us, “Thy Kingdom Come,” asking Him to return quickly. But we should also understand His patience. God is patient for the sake of those who have not yet believed. And every day there are more and more people being brought to the faith.

I’ve read that when a new mission field is started in a foreign country where the Gospel message was previously unknown, it is not unusual for there to be a 5, 10 or even 15 year delay before the first conversion and baptism. Yet it is well worth the wait and the work if just one person is brought to faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of his or her soul. Remember, the angels in heaven rejoice over ONE sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10).

Jesus is coming again.  All of us here may die before that happens, or He may come tomorrow. Either way, through the grace of God, we will be with Him. Our faith, trust and confidence assure us of that. We are united with our God now through faith, and will be with Him for eternity.

When you think of how God has been patient with you, how He has long-suffered this sinful world and coming to our rescue with Jesus, what better response could we give to our Lord than this: “Thanks for your patience!”

And perhaps that will inspire you to be more patient with others.