Virtuous Impatience?

Impatience is usually considered a bad thing. When we get impatient with a job we may rush through and not fulfill it in the best manner possible. When we get impatient with others we generally push them away from us. Impatience is often accompanied by a sense of annoyance or frustration. It is patience that is referred to as a virtue; being an admirable quality or mark of moral goodness. Solomon noted that one who “is slow to anger” (such would be the exercise of patience) “is better than the mighty.” ( Proverbs 16:32) Paul pointed to patience as being a fruit of the spirit ( Galatians 5:22) and also a characteristic of godly love. ( 1 Corinthians 13:4) However, could impatience also be a virtue? Are there situations where impatience is a good response? Are there times when we are struck by the sense enough is enough?

Praise God for His patience! ( 2 Peter 3:9) Every day that the coming of our Lord is withheld is an opportunity for repentance and acceptance of the salvation made possible through Christ. We should also, however, BE THANKFUL for God’s impatience.

During the time of the judges we read. . .
“(15) And the people of Israel said to the LORD, ‘We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.’ (16) So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, AND HE BECAME IMPATIENT OVER THE MISERY OF ISRAEL.” ( Judges 10:15-16 ESV)

Enough was enough! Though Israel had continued to fall back into doing their own thing ( Judges 2:18-19) following the death of every judge God raised up to save them ( Judges 2:16), He was still again and again moved to pity ( Judges 2:18) when they cried out to Him and was willing to be merciful toward His people. The glory of God is His goodness and graciousness. Such is evidenced by both His patience and impatience. Because of God’s impatience over the suffering of Israel, He acted on their behalf and they were delivered from their oppressors.

As Jesus appeared to make reference to the things associated with the destruction of Jerusalem and a time of great persecution, He offered the encouragement that GOD WOULD CUT THAT TIME SHORT. ( Matthew 24:22) God would place a limit on it, not allowing the trials to go on and on in order to ensure salvation would be possible. Unlike mankind, GOD KNOWS WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE. (note David’s trusting view of God in this regard -- 2 Samuel 24:14)

A day is coming when God’s impatience with an unbelieving world will bring to full fruition the promise of complete and final deliverance of those who have rightfully acknowledged Him. ( 2 Peter 3:10-13) Let us therefore BE THANKFUL for both the patience (further opportunity to be right with Him) and impatience (not allowing the suffering of His people to go on any longer) of God. As His people, these are both blessings that work for us in accordance with His plan. May we continue to hold the hope in Christ out to others as we exercise patience in awaiting the impatience of God. His timing will be right!

Have a great day PRAISING GOD FOR HIS GRACIOUS GOODNESS!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on God