Appreciating Patience

We say God is patient, but all too often I don't think we really appreciate that thought.  I would like to help with that understanding that concept.  Now I could say look at all the prophets and how many told the people to repent and turn to God and still they didn't listen.  However, I think that approach is part of what makes it difficult to understand how patient God is just as much as just looking at a single verse stating,

 “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15, ESV)

Instead, I want to look at one man's life.  That man is Jeremiah, nicknamed the weeping prophet.  Why was he called the weeping prophet?  The answer is simple.  His ministry started when he was a young man and it spanned a couple kings.  He was called by God to preach to the people repentance.  The problem is that they would never listen to the words God gave him.  Lastly, he would see many of his countrymen die and the best hauled off in shame to captivity.  Pretty hard cup to swallow, but drink it he did.

He started his ministry off with this declaration:

   “Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:12–13, ESV)

He lets them know that there are two primary sins that they are guilty of.  The first is that they left the One True God.  He who is the author and sustainer of life.  Jesus picks up this imagery of living water when he talks to the woman at the well (John 4).

The first sin alone would be enough.  The second is both sad and a slap in the face.  They gave God up for something that is worthless.  Not just worthless but detrimental.  Think about the image of a broken cistern for a moment.  It can't give you fresh water nor can it hold the water in it.  So because it is stagnant it carries disease to all who come to it.  So instead of life, they receive death.

Now several decades pass.  Jeremiah is no longer the youth that he was.  He has continued to spread the message of repentance that God gave to him.  As a result, he has been beaten, imprisoned, and had his life threatened at different times.  During the final siege of Jerusalem he is thrown into a broken cistern and partially sinks into the filth.  Then the king has him removed from the cistern because he needs some advice.  However, Jeremiah tells the king that he doesn't want to say anything because he won't listen and will just want to kill him.  So, after the king promises not to kill him Jeremiah gives the same answer.  He tells him if he asks God for forgiveness, walks out the gates, and surrenders he will be taken into captivity, but will have his life as a reward.  

The King refuses. (Jeremiah 38)

Jeremiah is an old man and God's patience for his people has come to an end.

The cities defenses fail and the city is taken.  King Zedekiah tries to escape, but he is overtaken by his enemy.  His sons are killed in front of him and he is blinded with the death of his sons being the last thing he ever saw.  He is led away naked with the best of his people, that weren't killed, into exile for 70 years.  The most tragic timeout in history.

God was patient with his children for a long time.  He kept calling them to repentance.  He allowed natural consequences to happen because of their disobedience.  But still they would not turn back to him.  We call Jeremiah the weeping prophet...but how do you think God felt as he watched his children being led away into exile because they wouldn't turn to Him?

God is extraordiarily patient with us.  However, that patience eventually runs out.

The Good News:

1. God disciplines us because He loves us!
2. Discipline in this life is not meant to be permanent, but to bring us to repentance.
3. God always gives hope of restoration in times of discipline if we seek Him.

So, if you have had people in your life calling you to repentance listen to what they have to say.  Don't harden your heart against God for something as meaningless as wealth or your pride.  Turn to God before it is to late.  Don't test God's patience!

If you have children...don't be surprised when they disobey you.  However, if they are willfully defiant don't be too proud to ask for help to reach them.  God used Jeremiah and other prophets.  Use the people God has put in your life to help you.  Do everything you can to bring your kid(s) back to God, including changing yourself, because you don't know when God's patience will run out.

Check out my favorite parenting book!  It teaches us how to change our kids by changing ourselves first.

http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Parenting-Raising-Children-Shapes/dp/B004HBBSQI