In the Bible, there are many records about the forefathers of faith, who were blessed through their patience. Let us look at what kind of patience we should have, through their deeds.
1. Patience of Job
Job was faithful and righteous in the sight of God. He had many children and was prosperous; he had everything. Satan, who envied Job, brought upon him a test difficult to endure. Satan afflicted Job, causing him to lose all his property and even causing his children to die. However, Job did not grumble but rather praised God.
. . . and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:21–22
Satan constantly tested Job; he afflicted his body with painful sores from head to toe. Job’s wife asked him if he was still holding on to his faith in God and suggested that it would be better to curse God and turn away from Him. Nevertheless, Job firmly held on to his faith even in this extreme situation.
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Job 2:10
God granted abundant blessings to Job who kept his faith and overcame all of Satan’s evil schemes. God blessed Job twice as much as before, increasing his property and granting Him many more children. The reason he could keep his faith in the midst of severe suffering and receive blessings from God was because he had patience. We should follow Job’s example, overcome all difficulties with patience, and receive abundant blessings from God.
. . . as you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Jas 5:11
2. Patience of Apostle Paul
In the process of preaching the Gospel, Apostle Paul went through many sufferings and hardships. He was often imprisoned, five times he received the forty lashes minus one, he was stoned, he was shipwrecked and spent a night and day in the open sea. He was in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from his own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brothers. He labored and toiled and often went without sleep; he knew hunger and thirst and often went without food; he was cold and naked (2 Co 11:23–27). Apostle Paul received many blessings from God despite going through these severe hardships because he kept his faith until the end.
Apostle Paul could endure all kinds of sufferings because he had a spirit of patience. To the saints of the early Church, he emphasized that they should walk the path of faith with perseverance.
therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Heb 12:1
We should remember Apostle Paul, who overcame suffering and pain with patience and received blessings from God. We can never be blessed without having patience. Whatever difficulties come, let us endure and overcome to become the saints who receive the blessings promised by God.
you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Heb 10:36
- Food for Thought
- What kind of mindset did Job have to overcome all Satan’s evil schemes and receive blessings?
- What did Apostle Paul say (according to Hebrews 10:36) is the reason we need to have patience?