Patience and Perseverance

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.

Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)

At 4 years old, my son was constantly asking me for a new toy. I don't know where he got the idea, but one day he came to me and asked for a skateboard. I hesitated twice before accepting. But it was a promise I was making to him, not a guarantee that he would get it immediately. Seeing the clutter in the space where he would be using it, I decided to make this promise, giving myself time to tidy up the space so that once he received the toy, he could play on it without hurting himself.

I waited three months before giving it to him. But during that time, he kept reminding me of my promise. One Friday, when he heard me talking about a generator I was going to buy, he came to my office to tell me to add his skateboard to the list. He never gave up. Finally, once the space was free, I took him to buy his skateboard. He was so happy that when he got home, he went skateboarding, thinking it would be easy. He fell and injured his knee.

While I was bandaging his wound, he realized on his own that if I hadn't cleaned the area, he probably would have broken his knee and ended up in the hospital. Perseverance is what God asks of us. We often don't know why He delays answering us. God's promise doesn't depend on our circumstances or our immediate needs. He is omniscient, so He knows when to answer us. He will never fail to keep His promises. However, like a child, persevere in His presence, for sooner or later you will receive what He has promised.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.