“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord…” – James 5:7

Scripture reading: James 5:7-11

Patience is one of the attributes of God. The Bible often speaks of God’s patience toward Israel, or toward sinners, or all humanity. He is “long-suffering” and “slow to anger.” Peter instructs us to think about God’s patience and to “count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (II Peter 3:15). Jesus was patient with his disciples and others. He also patiently endured the sufferings of His humiliation, incarnation and the cross.

The word Paul used in his fruit-of-the-Spirit list for patience in Galatians 5 is makrothumia, literally “long-suffering.” As you worship today, consider the patience and long-suffering of God toward you.

Like love, the patience of God is what we call a “communicable” attribute, meaning an attribute that God shares with human beings to some degree. It is therefore not surprising that when the Spirit of God dwells in a person, that person will grow in the fruit of patience.

But just like fruit on trees, the fruit of the Spirit takes time to grow, ripen and mature. For some of us, it seems that this fruit of patience takes the longest.

Are you patient? We’ll continue to see that these Spiritual fruits are very closely tied together. Paul tells us that “love is patient, love is kind…” And if you think about it, one can hardly be loving, or joyful, or at peace with others without being patient (or kind, gentle, etc.).

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that the Holy Spirit will conform you to the image of Christ. Pray for patience.

Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.