The Patience of God Displays the Power of God

In Nehemiah 9, we see God’s people fasting and praying for God’s forgiveness. Phenomenally, we see they stand in a posture to receive for three hours while publicly reading the scriptures aloud. That was not enough. They then confessed their sins for another three hours. After those six hours, the Levites then announce to the people, “It is time to stand and worship!”

What we read at this point is a really a fascinating song of praise. The lyrics are recorded for us to glean from. They sing about God as a promise keeper. He is a miracle worker. He visits them. He feeds them. In a moment of honesty and vulnerability before the Lord, they confess, “We have been arrogant and stiff-necked.”

But then we read they have a reason to celebrate.

Nehemiah 9.17…But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

God’s patience is a highly treasured attribute for us!

Why? Because God’s mercy and patience delays the punishment we deserve as sinful fallen creatures. He is able and willing to defer His justice so that we may experience His redemption and salvation. We are told in Romans 3.23 that all have been stained by sin. We have all missed God’s mark. Romans 6.23 teaches us the wages of our sinfulness is death. But the verse does not end there! A glorious second sentence is needed and thankfully proclaimed. “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We have a second sentence. We have hope because of God’s patience.

The cry of the Church in 1 Corinthians 16.22 is “Maranatha!” Come Lord! In Revelation 22.20 is our bridegroom’s response is, “Surely I am coming soon.”

So why does He delay? His patience. His heart is that none would perish as confirmed in 2 Peter 3.9. His patience restrains Himself.

His patience is His power to withhold what we rightly deserve

When we recognize His power to be patient, the truth becomes evident that it is actually showing us a power greater than His power to create.

Why?

The power of God exerted in creation displays God’s power over creatures and matter. Exercising His patience shows us God’s power over Himself. Power to control and order matter is swallowed in the enormity of the needed power to control God. Only God’s self has the power to control God’s self.

Therefore, His patience is not just a function of His love, goodness, and mercy, it is a revelation of HIs omnipotent power.

When we come to understand this power and receive His patience, things change in us. Here is an example of the change in Paul. We read he gains understanding of the patience of God in his first letter to Timothy.

1 Timothy 1.15-17 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ut 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. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Receiving God’s patience produces humility.

Paul is able to admit he is the worst of sinners. Pride causes me to mask my insufficiencies. Humility enables me to be honest and vulnerable about my failures. I am able to be humble because I understand in my weakness, God’s strength and power is displayed. He is patient with me.

Receiving God’s patience produces a heart of compassion for the lost and broken.

Paul has in his mind, “those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.” In my humility, because of God’s patience, I can have a heart of compassion for lost. Not a heart of judgement.

Receiving God’s patience inspires worship.

Paul is inspired to declare God’s goodness and glory as he meditates and writes about the patience of God. It is the power of God. It is a treasured attribute to Paul. It is to be a treasured attribute to us.