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Week 5: Patience All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.” (Thomas àKempis)Few are the number of virtues that are both more needed and more difficult to obtainthan patience. While our own fallibility convinces us of a deep need to develop patiencewith others, it is that very fallibility in those around us that tends to ignite all butpatience inside of us.Even so, Scripture confirms our conclusion that patience is virtuous:• “A patient man is better than a warrior, and he who rules his temper, than he whotakes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32, New American Bible)• “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allayscontention.” (Proverbs 15:18, NKVJ)• “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms aquarrel.” (Proverbs 15:18, NIV)• “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook anoffense.” (Proverbs 19:11, NIV)The Patience of GodIf God’s demonstrations of wrath and righteous indignation compel us to take notice,His demonstrations of patience certainly warrant our attention.Once we wrap our minds around the heinous nature of sin, we have no difficultyunderstanding how God’s wrath is justified. Sin not only deserves severe punishment, itdeserves swift punishment.And it is that very fact that makes the patience of God mind-boggling.Though we don’t relish the thought of righteous judgment being rained down on us, wecan understand it. Justice is logical: If I commit sin “A”, God will justly respond withpunishment “B.” B naturally follows A. Justice is common sense, and because God’swrath is intertwined with His justice, we can also understand His wrath.God’s patience is nearly impossible for us to comprehend, though, because it makes nological sense. It is inextricably tied to God’s grace and therefore offers us something thatwe don’t deserve. When I commit a sin (and truly repent of it), God chooses to respondnot with wrathful punishment, but with patience and grace.Instead of striking me dead on the spot for rebelling against Him, He says, “I love you. Iwant you to come back to Me, and I’m willing to wait for that to happen.”Wow!How poignant are the Psalmist’s words: “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate andgracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15, NIV)Those who are inclined to disagree with the Psalmist need only read the accounts ofGod’s endurance with the children of Israel or the accounts of Jesus’ longsuffering withHis impetuous apostles.God’s patience is inconceivably great.And because that virtue is so deeply woven into the character of God Himself, those whoespouse His Son as Lord and Savior must weave it into their characters as well.Questions for Thought and Discussion1. Why is patience so difficult for us as human beings? Why doesn’t it come naturally tous?2. “Twenty-first century America is not a culture given to patience.” Give some evidenceto defend or refute this statement.3. How can we, as Christians, develop patience when we live in a society given toimpulsivity?4. This lesson contrasts wrath and patience. How exactly is patience the opposite ofwrath? Or is it?5. Cite one Biblical event, story, or parable that you think teaches the virtue of patience.Then list the practical lessons about patience taught by that story.6. The word “longsuffering” is often used in the same context as “patience.” What might“longsuffering” teach us about the concept of patience? Did Jesus have anything to sayabout the concept of longsuffering?7. Patience and hope are mentioned together in the New Testament on more than oneoccasion (See Romans 12:12, Romans 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:3). What is the connectionbetween these two concepts?8. Is there an easy way to develop patience? In other words, is there a shortcut?(Consider James 1:2-4)