How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD for he has been good to me.  (Psalm 13). When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.  They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants ofthe earth and avenge our blood?  Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.  (Rev. 6:9-11).  If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go.  If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.  This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.  (Rev. 13:10).  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  (John 10:27-28).

I’ve heard it said numerous times from at least two pulpits: “patience is long-suffering and in order to be long-suffering, one has to have been long bothered.” 

Indeed, of the virtues we have studies so far, I feel I know very little of “patience.”  While I struggle with anxiety, at times I have most definitely felt the Lord grant peace.  I’ve experienced it, both the gut-churning absence and the beautiful fullness.  I can’t say that with patience.  In fact, now that I think about it, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard another Christian say, “I really have God’s patience about this decision.”  Or, “God has just filled me with patience for this person.”

I’ve prayed for patience.  I’ve prayed for the Lord to lead me to a place where I can understand patience better.  Even in the context of this Bible study, I spent a week or two specifically thinking about patience.  What I found was many opportunities to exercise patience with my family (opportunities I frankly fumbled as I muttered under my breath, “Lord, give me patience,” a few seconds before raising my voice and issuing an angry mandate).  No automatic Spirit-granted patience.

So, I did what I typically do when I’m struggling with something: break it down and analyze it.  In this case, I blew the dust of my old physical Strong’s Concordance and, after fumbling around a little bit to remember how it works, began looking up the verses in which the same Greek word (3115 – makrothumia – mak-roth-oo-mee’-ah; “longanimity”) occurs.  The majority of the verses we looked up in Day 1 are from this word.

Although not exactly the same word, the verses we looked up in day 2 are from the same root word – which is a combination of “makros” – long in place/time – and thumos “passion (as if breathing hard):  – fierceness, indignation, wrath” and “makrothumeo” which Strong’s says is “to be long-spirited…patiently endure.” (In case you want to pull out your Strong’s, too – it’s 3116/3114 respectively). 

1 Corinthians 13:4 is 3114.

It’s actually quite surprising to me that part of patience is a picture of anger long restrained – long restrained wrath.  I have a picture in my head of “patience” as some sort of zen-like figure at the top of a mountain who doesn’t actually experience the emotions which cause us mere humans anger.  Of someone who is so enlightened that things don’t bother or fluster them.  But when I hold up the Biblical definition of patience to the passages in Scripture of God’s patience – well, that enlightened iconic monk figure isn’t right.  I’m actually a little relieved, because it’s hard to reconcile the iconic monkish Jesus with the rage-filled Jesus who seized a whip and scattered the money changers in the Temple.

Despite this, because a human being’s anger is not what God’s is – we would be better off if we could keep ourselves from being affected by our anger.  The key to this, as the key to the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit is Jesus.  If we have a true view of God’s great love and our very real and present need for it – if we can truly grasp how great His forgiveness of us is – how can we be impatient with other people?  How can I lash out in anger against someone who has done me less wrong than I have done to God, considering His great and beautiful gift of salvation to me when I was actively against Him? 

And yet, there is no room in Scripture or life to pretend that things are not difficult.  To pretend that we never feel anger.  To fabricate good cheer in the face of suffering.  God’s word is filled with the cries of His people: how long?  How long will the non-believer prosper?  How long will lies fill the air?  How long will this gnarly situation last unresolved?  How long will I face this health issue?  Patience does not require us to pretend.  No.  Patience requires us to pour our heart and souls out to God, holding the broken things up to Him.  Repeatedly and as often as necessary.  But it doesn’t stop there.  Patience requires us to fix our eyes on Him and remind our souls of His great love and salvation. 

I’ve not come out the other side of this, but friends, it must be a messy, frustrating and difficult business.  Patience must be worked out – much like a muscle that is strengthened only by repeated strain.  As Dallas Willard says in The Divine Conspiracy, “when Paul writes to the Colossians, he prays that they will walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing him in every respect, bearing fruit in every good work and constantly growing in their knowledge of God (Col. 1:10).  Then he asks that they be ‘strengthened with all power, in terms of God’s glorious power’ (v. 11).  One might expect that this would be for the sake of some astounding outward manifestations!  But no, it is required to enable the Colossians to have “limitless endurance and long-suffering or patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has equipped us for a role in the destiny of the saints in the light.”  The most exalted outcome of submersion in the risen Christ is the transformation of the inner self to be like him.”  (p. 280).

Thank you, Jesus, that nothing can snatch us from your hand and that you promise to carry out the workmanship you have begun in us.

At the end of this week’s meditations about patience: what have you learned?  Where have you seen, heard or experienced patience?  What other passages of scripture has the Spirit brought to you about patience?

2. According to Colossians, how are the people to have great endurance and patience?

3. What traits appear with patience in the lists of Christian virtues in Ephesians and Colossians 3?  Why do you think that is?

My dear brothers, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says. (James 1:19-22).  You have heard that it was said, “do not murder” and “anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.”  But I tell you, that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. … and anyone who says to his brother, “you fool” is in the danger of the fires of hell.  (Matthew 5:21-22).  You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things…when you, a mere man pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?  Or do you show contempt for the richness of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s patience leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:1, 3-4).

1. Why are we to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry?  How must we accept the word planted in us?

2. When we condemn others with our thoughts, what does Paul (in the Romans passage above) say we are essentially doing?  What does Jesus say about anger toward another in Matthew 5?

3.  When is the last time you have been angry?  What is your response?  What kinds of things typically make you angry?

But the fruit of the Spirit is … patience.  

What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath – prepared for destruction?  (Romans 9:22).  Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation … (2 Peter 3:15). Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  (1 Tim. 1:15-16). 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.  (2 Peter 3:9).   God is love.  (1 John 4:16).  Love is patient. (1 Cor. 13:4).

1. In the hypothetical question in Romans, what might God bear with great patience?  Why might he (in the hypothetic question) bear them with great patience?  (If you want to and have time, look back on Exodus 7-11).

2. What does God’s patience mean for us?

3. In 2 Peter – why is God patient, what is His desired outcome?

4. Based on these verses, how would you define patience?

Read Psalm 121

Again, I find the words of Eugene Peterson instructive:

Do you think the way to tell the story of the Christian journey is to describe its trials and tribulations?  It is not.  It is to name and to describe God who preserves, accompanies and rules us.

All the water in the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside.  Nor can all the trouble in the world harm us unless it gets within us. … The only serious mistake we can make when illness comes, when anxiety threatens, when conflict disturbs our relationships with others is to conclude that God has gotten bored looking after us and has shifted his attention to a more exciting Christian, or that God has become disgusted with our meanderin obedience and decided to let us fend for ourselves  for a while, or that God has gotten too busy fulfilling prophecy in the Middle East to take time now to sort out the complicated mess we have gotten ourselves into.  That is the only serious mistake we can make.  It is the mistake that Psalm 121 prevents: the mistake of supposing that God’s interest in us waxes and wanes in response to our spiritual temperature…Psalm 121 says that the same faith that works in the big things works in the little things.  The God of Genesis 1 who brought light out of darkness is also the God of this day who guards you from every evil.  (Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, 2d edition, 2000 InterVarsity Press, 43-44).

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  (John 10:25-26).  I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing … If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  (John 15:5, 7-8).  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, nor any powers.  Neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:35, 37).

1. Who are the sheep in the John 10 passage?  What does Jesus give them – and what does that mean?

2. What voices do you find yourself listening to?

3. In John 15, what does Jesus say He is?  What are we?  When a person remains in the Vine, what does Jesus promise will happen?

4. In the list of powers and – things – from Romans, which cause you the most pause?  Have any threatened your peace, causing strife or anxiety?

 Now, maybe even say this out loud to remind your soul:
 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  Nothing, neither                                                                    , nor death nor life, neither angels nor demons, nor any powers.  Neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

I love CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia.  As God was developing the idea of gathering together thoughts about the fruit of the Spirit, the kids and I were making our way through his second book in the series, Prince Caspian.  In Prince Caspian, we find the four siblings – Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy – back in Narnia after thousands of Narnian years elapsed.  The land is familiar, yet different.  They learn that a war is begun which will either restore the rightful heir to the throne or ensconce the wicked usurping uncle.  Time is of the essence, but with no smart phones – not even a map – the children can only make educated guesses at how to arrive at their desired destination.  They reach a gorge and must decide which way to go.  Lucy sees Aslan – the great, majestic lion, son of the Emperor over the Sea – instructing them to go the exact opposite direction they have decided upon.  Nobody else sees him, so – with the exception of Edmund –  they vote and go a different way.

Of course, after hiking through the woods and up a mountain, they are nearly killed by enemy arrows as they reach the only point to cross a great river.  As they hike back the way them came as quickly as they can, they all realize that Lucy’s desired course of direction was better than the way they took.

Finally, after hiking as far as they can, the settle in to camp for the night.  Lucy awakens, feeling someone call her name.  She follows the voice into the wood and meets Aslan who directs her to wake the others and tell them to get going, right away.  She does so and finally, after following Him – without seeing him – for some time, the others finally see Aslan:

 [N]ow Aslan had stopped and turned and stood facing them, looking so majestic that they felt as glad as anyone can who feels afraid, an das afraid as anyone can who feels glad.  The boys strode forward: Lucy made way for them: Susan and the Dwarf shrank back.

 Oh, Aslan,” said King Peter, dropping on one knee and raising the Lion’s heavy paw to his face, “I’m so glad.  And I’m so sorry.  I’ve been leading them wrong ever since we started and especially yesterday morning.”

 “My dear son,” said Aslan.

 Then he turned to Edmond. “Well done,” were his words.

 Then, after an awful pause, the deep voice said, “Susan.”  Susan made no answer but the others thought she was crying.  “You have listened to fears, child,” said Aslan.  “Come, let me breathe on you.  Forget them.  Are you brave again?”  Prince Caspian, p. 153-154, Harper Collins 1979.

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will sent in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  (John 14: 26-27). 

1. Who is speaking in the John passage?  Who did the Father send?  What will this Person teach?

2. What did Jesus promise he left with the disciples?  How does Jesus give?  What are some examples of ways the world gives?

3. Going back now, to the Narnia passage – when have you listened to fears?  Were you able to find your way to Jesus’ voice? 

We’re designed to get our inner peace and affirmation from the sufficiency and love of Jesus.  His sufficiency gives us a bottomless reservoir from which to serve and be generous. … I’ll summarize it this way: We are not to look to our family as the source of the inner peace and affirmation that only Jesus can give.  We’re not to need our family to treat us a certain way in order for us to be at peace.  (Gary Morland, A Family Shaped by Grace, How to Get Along with the People Who Matter Most, p. 76).

Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send?  Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD?  You have seen many things; but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing…So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war.  It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart. // But now, this is what the LORD says–he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”  (Isaiah 42:19-20, 22; 43:1-2)  For if, while we were God’s enemies he were reconciled us to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  (Romans 5:10).  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  (1 John 4:18).  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ. (Phil. 4:4-8).  You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  (Isaiah 26:3).

1. The opposite of peace is                                                                    .

2. In the Isaiah 42/43 passage, what did the people do when they saw and heard God’s signs and messages?  How did God respond to their willful ignorance?  – Yet, after His wrath, what promises did God make?

3. What was our heart posture toward God when He sent Jesus?  Thus, do we have any reason to fear God now? 

4. From the Phillipians passage, what guards our hearts and minds in Christ?  What are believers directed to do rather than be anxious?

5. In the Isaiah 26 verse, who does God keep in perfect peace?
6. Meditate upon God’s love today – the abundance of it when we were so great unworthy and rebellious.  Particularly if anxious thoughts or strife come your way, bring to mind some of the great passages about God’s grace and mercy to you. 
  
  

Like all the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, peace has different facets.  Staring into true peace is staring in God, and we could do this forever and not know the depth and breadth of Him!  This week, I hope to explore at least two of these different aspects of peace in some depth – but there are surely more than two, and there is surely more depth! 

But the fruit of the Spirit is … peace.  (Gal. 5:25).

The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5).  Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, hat his glory may dwell in our land.  Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  (Psalm 85:9-10).  For he himself is our peace … His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to you who were near.  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.  (Eph. 2:14, 15b-18).  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  (Col. 1:19-20).  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  (James 3:18).  Endure hardship as discipline: God is treating you as sons.  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  (Hebrews 12:7, 10, 11).

1. If only                                                         , then I would have peace.

2. According to Isaiah, what brought us peace?  Why was this necessary?  (See, for example, Isaiah 59:2 or Eph. 2:3, Col. 1:21)

3. Who is our peace? 
4. What is reconciliation?  (See the Ephesians and Colossians passage above)

5.  Look at the Psalm, James and Hebrews passages above.
  In the Psalm: what virtues kiss?
  In James: what do peacemakers sow in and then reap?
  In Hebrews: what harvest can God’s discipline produce?
 Why do you think these virtues are linked together? (Can you think of other passages where they are mentioned together?)
6. In Hebrews, what are we to endure as discipline?  Why does God discipline us?  Who are those to whom God’s discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace?

7. Are you experiencing hardship in your life?  How can you submit to that hardship as discipline and training for holiness?