Posted on 07/23/2015 5:38:44 AM PDT by Gamecock
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.” - Ecclesiastes 7:8–9
Bob was required to go online regularly to do research for the reports and other tasks his employer assigned him. One day, he knocked on the door of his company’s information technology department and explained that he was having a problem with his computer. His browser was taking too long to load the web pages he had to visit in order to do his job. When Frank, the IT worker, sat down at Bob’s computer, he found that on average it was taking just under two seconds to load the web pages Bob needed for his research. Frank explained that Bob’s computer was not really slow at all, and Bob replied that his friends at other companies could see the web pages they visited in less than one second.
The story is fictional, but it points to a truth about the reality of life in modern society—we want what we want now, if not yesterday. The idea of patiently waiting for an outcome or for gratification is all but lost on us. Yet patience is a key biblical virtue. Indeed, it is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–24). One does not have to read very far in Scripture before finding an exhortation to be patient.
Today’s passage calls us to patience, explaining that it is better to be patient than it is to be proud (Eccl. 7:8). Coupled with the teaching that the end of a thing is better than its beginning, we find what seems to be a call to patient endurance in the midst of suffering, particularly in light of the mention of oppression in v. 7. Knowing that the end of suffering—the goal that the Lord is trying to achieve as He works in and through our pain—is better, we are encouraged not to give up hope in the midst of trials and tribulations. Instead, we are to think on the good fruit that God will surely produce through our suffering. As Hebrews 12:11 reveals, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
In commenting on today’s passage, Matthew Henry notes that “the patient in spirit are here opposed to the proud in spirit, for where there is humility there will be patience. Those will be thankful for any thing who own they deserve nothing at God’s hand.” If we humble ourselves before the Lord and admit that we have a right to no good thing, we will be thankful for the love God shows us in disciplining us. This, in turn, will help defeat the anger that can lodge in the heart when we are impatient and unwilling to wait for suffering to make us who God, in His timing, wants us to be. Such anger is the mark of fools (Eccl. 7:9).
Coram Deo
Impatience can lead to frustration, which can lead to anger. Cultivating a patient spirit by focusing on the promises of God in His Word and the work of the Spirit of the Lord will lessen frustration and reduce the anger that is the mark of the foolish heart. This is a vital task, for unrighteous anger is the root of many other sins. May we seek the Lord’s face in our suffering, trusting in the promises of God that we might endure in patience and love.
Passages for Further Study
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Proverbs 25:15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Morning Devotional Ping
Want on or off? Let me know!
FAITH!
Excellent.
A good reminder for those of us in an instant gratification society.
Put me on the list, please. A great way to start the day.
GC,
Please put me on your morning and evening list.
Thanks!
As to the topic, I heard someone once say, “Give me patience, and give it to me now.”
Thanks sir!
Hoss
How so true this is. And such a comforting truth. The last 13 months of my life have been filled beyond belief and words with sorrows, sufferings, trials and tribulations. From the instant it began the Lord had His hand on me with the quiet whisper of "be patient, trust in Me, for the end IS better than the beginning".
As I begin to come out from under this dark cloud, I already see what a great work He has done in me. My faith has deepened beyond my belief. His grace is truly sufficient and is greater than anything or anyone in this world. Knowing Him surpasses anything we can ask or imagine. But in this sinful and fallen world, we just can't grasp that except through the trials. He sends the trials to strip away our love affair with the world. Bit by bit.
I know that I am not yet at the end of this. I don't know when that will be. But I do know that the faith that He is growing in me, by His grace will far outweigh my suffering. This has opened my eyes to the truths of Romans 5:1-11, which has been a great comfort.
So also is 2 Cor. 4:17-18:
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, that the things that are unseen are eternal."
On, if you please. Good morning and thank you for the post.
ON
Would you put me on your ping list?
Thank you.
Yes, if you ever pray for patience, God will surely put you in positions where you will be able to exercise patience. 😂 Good morning GC.
Keep me on ! This is good stuff! Thanks soooo much!
“Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace.”..... J. C. Ryle
Keep me on ! This is good stuff! Thanks soooo much!
“Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace.”..... J. C. Ryle
Happy tomorrow Mark!
....”we want what we want now, if not yesterday. The idea of patiently waiting for an outcome or for gratification is all but lost”.....
For that reason we always need to be patient with God’s Spirit as we read and study His word....I have found that though I might want ‘understanding’ sooner rather than later, the Holy Spirit has his way of ‘unfolding the Truth’ sought more often then not by ‘weaving’ the ‘entire’ Truth and in it’s ‘fullness’ throughout His written Word.....This takes time and patience yet in the end the True picture is heard and seen as He would have us to see and hear.
I can relate, though the cloud I was under was some time ago, the journey through is often recalled and pondered.
I learned, among those things you mentioned, that there are simply certain things God wants us to know and learn about Him that can ‘ONLY’ be taught and learned through what we encounter in trials and suffering through them.....
Job was a companion as I traveled that path...David as well...and of course Jesus as he met those who sufferred along his path.
LOL, it is after midnight, so it IS tomorrow already. 😂😇😎
Yes, Job, David, and others. He is revealing so much, it may take the remainder of my life to ponder and grasp the impact. what a blessing.
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