The Immense Patience of God

This is the second post in a series on what the Bible teaches about patience. To read the first post, click the title below.

How Does the Bible Define Patience?

To say that God has been patient with me would be a colossal understatement.

I gave my life to Christ after what I typically describe as a tumultuous, chaotic teenage existence. We went to church growing up, so I had heard the gospel innumerable times. Friends and colleagues repeatedly shared the good news with me, but I willfully and knowingly remained in my sins until I was a young adult.

The Bible Clearly Reveals God as Patient

Here are a few of the many examples of God’s patience from the Bible.

From the beginning of human history, God showed patience to Adam and Eve by not annihilating them and starting all over after they sinned in Eden. He was patient in the days of Noah when sin was rampant in the world. He could have destroyed the entire human race. Still, He exercised patience by instructing Noah to build an ark to save his family (1 Peter 3:20).

God was very patient with the patriarchs, an imperfect family full of conflicts and drama that, in today’s lingo, would be described as dysfunctional.

When God revealed Himself to Moses in the wilderness, He personally identified Himself as a gracious God who is slow to anger (Exodus 34:5-7). Jonah echoed the same words, albeit with exasperation, after God forgave the people of Ninevah—a wicked city that, as far as Jonah was concerned, was undeserving of God’s mercy and patience.

^“He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2-3

For generations, God warned the Israelites through multiple prophets to turn from idolatry, but they persisted in their evil practices. Eventually, God used the Assyrians and Babylonians as instruments of His judgment against Israel and Judah. In His patience and mercy, He still made a way for the exiles from Judah to return to Jerusalem after 70 years in Babylon.

Patience is not only an attribute of God the Father but also of Jesus Christ.

In 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Paul recounted his testimony of Jesus’ immense patience to him. He identified himself as a former blasphemer, persecutor, violent man, and “worst of sinners” who, through God’s mercy, experienced the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into 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 immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16

The Purpose of God’s Patience Toward Us

The purpose of God’s patience is for us to be saved, transformed, and enjoy eternity in His presence. But His patience does have a limit. God is rich in patience, but He is also a God of holiness and righteousness who will execute His judgment at the right time (Romans 2:4-5).

It’s not that we get on God’s last nerve and wear Him out with our actions—not at all. God loves us infinitely. He is a compassionate Father who gives us many opportunities to learn from Him and redirects our steps innumerable times along the way.

But just like a good Father does not allow His children to get away with everything, if we persist in going our own way, we will eventually bear the consequences of our actions.

God’s kindness is not intended to encourage us to sin but to draw us towards repentance—a changed heart.

^“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

So, stop and think about the depth of patience God imparts to us daily. He does not punish us swiftly as we deserve, but instead, He is slow to anger and abounding in love (Numbers 14:18). He is patient with us, not wanting us to perish, but that we may all come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).

I will be eternally grateful that I, too, share the testimony of one who has experienced Christ’s immense patience. By God’s grace, I repented, put my faith in Jesus, became born-again, and received His promised Holy Spirit.

God’s patience toward me did not end after I became born again. My friends and family may not fully comprehend me, but God sees and understands the intricacies of my soul. His patience continues to undergird and strengthen me as the Holy Spirit transforms and changes me to become more and more like Christ.

And that will be the focus of my next article—how the Holy Spirit enables us to express the fruit of patience. In the meantime….

Reflect

In what specific incidents in your personal life have you experienced God’s patience?
How have you responded to God’s patience towards you?
Have you accepted His gift of eternal life?
If not, what is holding you back?

Prayer

Father, I thank You for being compassionate, gracious, and slow to anger towards me. I am eternally grateful that You displayed Your immense patience by sending Jesus to the cross to save me from my sins. I yield my life completely to You. Mold and transform me through the power of the Holy Spirit to be Your instrument of reconciliation to draw others to Your Kingdom as I display Your love and patience to them. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Footnotes

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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