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Longsuffering


Hebrews 6:11-12 – “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

We inherit the promises through faith and patience. This race of faith is a race of endurance. We are not in a sprint, but a marathon.  We want everything instantly without waiting.  We want what we want instantly. Isaiah 40:31 reads, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

What does it mean to wait on the Lord?  The Hebrew word used for wait in this verse means, “to wait expectantly.”  Waiting is not inactivity, but it is the posture of faith. When we wait on the Lord we are positioning ourselves in expectant faith, expecting God to keep His promises and bring His words to pass in our lives.

To wait in patient faith is to seek His face, wait in His presence, and to listen intently for His instructions and directions.  In 1 Kings 19:11-13, Elijah listened for the still small voice.  This brought both refreshing and direction for his life and ministry.  Revelation 2:7 says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”   
  
Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” To be bold in the things of God is not just to make noise, but to learn to stand in expectant hope, believing that the God we serve is well able to keep His promises. The Apostle Paul writes these encouraging words in II Timothy 1:12, “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

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