Day 10: Patience Wearing Thin
Scripture: Exodus 10
Many a child has heard their parents say in frustration, “My patience is wearing thin.” Come to think of it, I’ve heard my wife say those same words to me a time or two. It’s a term we use when someone’s continuous actions are causing us to get annoyed or angered. I imagine that was the case for Moses.
Time and time again, Pharaoh made promises he refused to keep. Despite receiving the eighth and ninth plague (an invasion of locusts and three days of darkness), Pharaoh yet again hardened his rebellious heart against Moses and the Lord.
Perhaps Moses was getting a little impatient with the Lord as well. Perhaps he was thinking, “Lord, when are you going to finally destroy this evil ruler and set your people free?” Moses would not have to wait much longer, as we will see in a few chapters.
God’s patience is not endless. God will address sinfulness in His timing. And when He does, it may lead to death. A reality every household of Egypt would experience firsthand. So often we think we have all the time in the world to get things right with God and with others. We are never guaranteed that.
The same God that is loving and compassionate is also the God that can burn with anger. Nahum 1:6 says, “Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.”
This isn’t a view of God we like to think about. But we must accept all of who God is. We cannot cherry-pick when it comes to God’s character. Romans 8:1 should be a source of great encouragement though: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
God’s wrath is reserved primarily for those who refuse to repent and place their hope in Christ. But even for those who haven’t, God is patient. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
God patiently extends the offer of salvation, but there is a day when the offer is gone and God reveals Himself as the God of justice. Who in your life is in need of the gospel? We never know when it’s too late. May we live with a sense of urgency in sharing Christ with those we love.
Scripture: Exodus 10
Many a child has heard their parents say in frustration, “My patience is wearing thin.” Come to think of it, I’ve heard my wife say those same words to me a time or two. It’s a term we use when someone’s continuous actions are causing us to get annoyed or angered. I imagine that was the case for Moses.
Time and time again, Pharaoh made promises he refused to keep. Despite receiving the eighth and ninth plague (an invasion of locusts and three days of darkness), Pharaoh yet again hardened his rebellious heart against Moses and the Lord.
Perhaps Moses was getting a little impatient with the Lord as well. Perhaps he was thinking, “Lord, when are you going to finally destroy this evil ruler and set your people free?” Moses would not have to wait much longer, as we will see in a few chapters.
God’s patience is not endless. God will address sinfulness in His timing. And when He does, it may lead to death. A reality every household of Egypt would experience firsthand. So often we think we have all the time in the world to get things right with God and with others. We are never guaranteed that.
The same God that is loving and compassionate is also the God that can burn with anger. Nahum 1:6 says, “Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.”
This isn’t a view of God we like to think about. But we must accept all of who God is. We cannot cherry-pick when it comes to God’s character. Romans 8:1 should be a source of great encouragement though: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
God’s wrath is reserved primarily for those who refuse to repent and place their hope in Christ. But even for those who haven’t, God is patient. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
God patiently extends the offer of salvation, but there is a day when the offer is gone and God reveals Himself as the God of justice. Who in your life is in need of the gospel? We never know when it’s too late. May we live with a sense of urgency in sharing Christ with those we love.
Posted in Journey of Hope