Silas
Beloved of All
This kind of daily hardship wears on you quickly, especially when you were given a promise that the work would be done and then it was not, and even something as basic as a warm shower becomes impossible. It is completely understandable to feel frustrated and to long for a quick and mighty solution.
Scripture speaks often about the patience of hope, which is learning to wait upon God and upon His timing while remaining confident that He will work. We are told in Hebrews that we have need of patience, that after we have done the will of God we might receive the promise, and that the saints of old through faith and patience inherited what God had promised. James also encourages us to be patient as a farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting with long patience for the early and latter rain. That picture reminds us that God Himself is the God of patience and comfort. He is long suffering and patient in working out His purposes, as He was with Abraham who waited many years for the promised son, and as He was with Job who endured great affliction. The Scriptures give us that patience and comfort so that we might have hope while we wait.
Even small trials can be used by God to work this patience in us. We are told that the trying of our faith works patience, and that tribulation works patience, and patience works experience and hope. When patience is allowed to have its perfect work, it brings us to maturity so that we lack nothing. Often God allows us to come to the end of our own resources and understanding so that we will not trust in ourselves but will learn to trust fully in Him. That trust is precious to Him, not only when things are easy and clear, but also when things are uncomfortable and we do not understand why the answer is delayed.
That is why we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, to acknowledge Him and ask of Him in faith without wavering. It is easy to give God a deadline in our hearts and then become double minded when it passes, but true trust remains steady and says, I will trust Him to do what is right and at the right time. Like the psalmist we may feel our eyes grow weary watching for His deliverance, and like all creation we groan while we wait, but we are sustained by hope because we know His Word is true. If we hope for what we do not yet see, then we wait for it with patience.
I am praying with you that God will bring a quick resolution to the repair work and restore hot water to your building very soon, and that He will give skill and diligence to those doing the work. I am also praying that He will provide for your comfort and health in these cold days, and that if a move does become necessary, He will clearly provide a suitable home where you can live in peace. Above all I pray that He, the God of patience and consolation, will grant you His comfort and hope as you wait, and that He will direct your path as you trust Him fully and call upon Him in the name of Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come and who is faithful to keep all His promises.
Scripture speaks often about the patience of hope, which is learning to wait upon God and upon His timing while remaining confident that He will work. We are told in Hebrews that we have need of patience, that after we have done the will of God we might receive the promise, and that the saints of old through faith and patience inherited what God had promised. James also encourages us to be patient as a farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting with long patience for the early and latter rain. That picture reminds us that God Himself is the God of patience and comfort. He is long suffering and patient in working out His purposes, as He was with Abraham who waited many years for the promised son, and as He was with Job who endured great affliction. The Scriptures give us that patience and comfort so that we might have hope while we wait.
Even small trials can be used by God to work this patience in us. We are told that the trying of our faith works patience, and that tribulation works patience, and patience works experience and hope. When patience is allowed to have its perfect work, it brings us to maturity so that we lack nothing. Often God allows us to come to the end of our own resources and understanding so that we will not trust in ourselves but will learn to trust fully in Him. That trust is precious to Him, not only when things are easy and clear, but also when things are uncomfortable and we do not understand why the answer is delayed.
That is why we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, to acknowledge Him and ask of Him in faith without wavering. It is easy to give God a deadline in our hearts and then become double minded when it passes, but true trust remains steady and says, I will trust Him to do what is right and at the right time. Like the psalmist we may feel our eyes grow weary watching for His deliverance, and like all creation we groan while we wait, but we are sustained by hope because we know His Word is true. If we hope for what we do not yet see, then we wait for it with patience.
I am praying with you that God will bring a quick resolution to the repair work and restore hot water to your building very soon, and that He will give skill and diligence to those doing the work. I am also praying that He will provide for your comfort and health in these cold days, and that if a move does become necessary, He will clearly provide a suitable home where you can live in peace. Above all I pray that He, the God of patience and consolation, will grant you His comfort and hope as you wait, and that He will direct your path as you trust Him fully and call upon Him in the name of Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come and who is faithful to keep all His promises.
