The Patience of Job?
But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.
Job 4:5
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The Patience of Job?
The patience of Job is often spoken of in high regards. In fact, Jesus’ brother James writes of Job’ steadfastness in his epistle (James 5:11). Yet here Job is accused of being impatient. Disaster has befallen Job; his family and fortune are gone and it seems his health is on the brink of completely being taken away. His natural reaction is consternation. In sackcloth and ash, he sits. I dare say had it been us, we too would have reacted in much the same way. But why do we do this? Those of faith, like Job, understand God is with us, and that the devil is specifically looking for us to draw us away from Christ. So why do we so often become inpatient with God? It is our sinful condition which causes us to demand God act at our discretion and in the manner we deem appropriate. However, we are not God, and His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8). We wait for the Lord and remain strong letting our hearts take courage as we wait on Him (Psalm 27:14). For, “the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God has called you and is faithful. He has begun a good work in you through Christ Jesus. He will keep and guard you until the end if you do not abandon Him, but in faith cling to the cross of Christ. His grace is given to this end.
Job 4:5
+
The Patience of Job?
The patience of Job is often spoken of in high regards. In fact, Jesus’ brother James writes of Job’ steadfastness in his epistle (James 5:11). Yet here Job is accused of being impatient. Disaster has befallen Job; his family and fortune are gone and it seems his health is on the brink of completely being taken away. His natural reaction is consternation. In sackcloth and ash, he sits. I dare say had it been us, we too would have reacted in much the same way. But why do we do this? Those of faith, like Job, understand God is with us, and that the devil is specifically looking for us to draw us away from Christ. So why do we so often become inpatient with God? It is our sinful condition which causes us to demand God act at our discretion and in the manner we deem appropriate. However, we are not God, and His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8). We wait for the Lord and remain strong letting our hearts take courage as we wait on Him (Psalm 27:14). For, “the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God has called you and is faithful. He has begun a good work in you through Christ Jesus. He will keep and guard you until the end if you do not abandon Him, but in faith cling to the cross of Christ. His grace is given to this end.
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