Father, I am grateful for the opportunity to get back in sync with You. You remain steadfast and sure, and I have been anything but! May I continue to be conscious of Your ever abiding presence, and may I live accordingly – much to my delight! Amen.
Romans 1:8-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
Years ago, someone introduced a concept into my brain that has stuck…and that is not necessarily a good thing. The statement made was “Don’t pray for patience, or God might just give it to you.” The problem is most of us struggle with patience, especially in the “instant” world in which we live. So, praying for patience would have a good chance of bringing multiple “opportunities” to develop patience.
Looking at today’s passage, for example, verse 10 read,
One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. NLT
Acts tells us that Paul’s prayers were most assuredly answered, though it did take a while for it to all come together. Remember after writing his letter to Rome while in Corinth, he spent two years languishing in a prison in Caesarea Maritima (see Yes, No…or Wait). He prayed for the opportunity to minister to the faithful in Rome, but it was not an easy journey. My Life Application Study Bible says:
When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner. Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely – after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. When we sincerely pray, God will answer – although in his timing and sometimes in ways we do not expect.
My challenge for myself as I write, and for you as well, is that we would cast aside the statement from my early years. Instead of avoiding praying for patience, we should embrace it. Paul’s journey to Rome didn’t weaken him – it strengthened him (maybe not physically, but spiritually for sure!) And look at all the lives that were touched, guards and sailors, all those on the Island of Malta – not everyone took to what Paul was proclaiming but there were lives that were definitely changed because Paul embraced his patience-laden journey. He didn’t buck it, he didn’t complain, he just faithfully followed God all…the…way.
Lord Jesus, You know that trials are not easy, for You experienced many Yourself. But enable us to understand that though our journey may be fraught with tribulation that when all is said and done, when on that final day we cast our crowns at Your feet and hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21 AMP) that our prayers, too, will have been answered. Amen!
Sept 14th, 2022, Wed, 7:36 pm
