Corona Devo 1572

There was one car in front of me at the stoplight today, and I waited today to turn right on red.  Come on, I thought, and said.  

This was taking forever.

~~~

Our daughter is (voluntarily) taking a summer Science course so that she might take a more advanced class in the Fall, and I am proud of her for being diligent in learning the material.  As she excitedly attempted to explain X and Y chromosomes to me today, instead of focusing on her new-knowledge, my brain saw the unset supper table, debated the unshredded cheese for tonight's taco's, and I found myself unfocused and thinking, (not about chromosomes), but about other zones in my house and life that I needed to move into.

~~~

At supper, after discussing the "highs" and "lows" of everyone's day, my husband began sharing about what he had taken away from his study of Scripture today, and (wouldn't you know it), it was all about patience.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, (23) gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  ~Galatians 5:22-23

~~~

If today's Bible lesson is about patience, then I am flunking the course.  And as I reviewed my attitudes and impatience today, I am ashamed to say that I pretty much made a mess of that fruit of the Spirit.

But...the day isn't over, for me or for you.  

If we have focused on the wrong things, or if we have let time or duties master us today instead of the Spirit of God, there's still time.  And lucky for us, (and unlike us), our Heavenly Father is patient.  

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  

This verse means that the Lord is patient in waiting for us (and everyone) to come to know and accept Him, but even after that occurs in our lives, He is still patient with us, thank goodness.  

He loves us, and His love is a patient love, working in ways we are unaware of, and often ungrateful for, but (whether we acknowledge it or not), He is not slow...he is patient with us.  Thank goodness.

God is patient with us.  He is never growing impatient with us, thinking, "Come on", this is taking forever.  That is not the nature of our God.

God teaches us what His nature is, and about the extent of patience (and forgiveness) that we should have with one another.  We hear God's heart in these verses, but then we experience the result of His principle of this every day, as He continues to be patient with us.

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  

(22) Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.  ~Matthew 18:21-22

~~~

Seventy times seven.

This is a general gauge for us to begin understanding how patient God wants us to be with others.

Seventy times seven.

This gives a slight idea of the generosity that God shows us in His patience with us.  In His forgiveness of our sinful shortcomings.  

When we are impatient in the car, and ready to lay on the horn or lose our mind: 

“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."  ~Matthew 18:22

And because of that patient math, Jesus forgives us as we sit fuming at the steering wheel.

~~~

God is patient with us when we selfishly tune-out others because we are too preoccupied with ourselves.  

Seventy times seven.

Because of His Godly principle of seventy times seven, the Lord is patient with us and provides His Word to us because the day isn't over, for me or for you.  

If we have focused on the wrong things, or if we have let time or duties master us today instead of the Spirit of God, there's still time.  And lucky for us, (and unlike us), our Heavenly Father is patient with us.  

~~~

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (10) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (11) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (12) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (13) Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  ~Romans 12:9-13

~~~

There's still time left in today: let's be patient.


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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