Their strength is to sit still. (Isaiah 30:7)
When God wants us to stay in a place we must do so with all patience of spirit.
Patience is the strength to wait.
hupomone (Greek noun) = KJV – patience 29, enduring 1, patient continuance 1, patient waiting 1
hupomeno (Greek verb) = KJV – endure 11, take patiently 2, tarry behind 1, abide 1, patient 1
hupo = by, with, under + meno = remain, abide, continue, tarry
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. (Acts 17:14)
To be patient is to remain in, rather than run from a trying experience.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
Courage is needed when we are tempted toward a fearful spirit.
Patience is needed when we are tempted toward a hasty spirit.
We act in haste when we allow outside pressure rather than the indwelling Spirit to move us.
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:51-52)
Rashness, not patience, will characterize the last days spirit.
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4)
heady – Greek propetes > rash
…Ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. (Acts 19:36)
The hasty spirit moves in folly and brings hurt to itself and others.
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. (Proverbs 14:29)
Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3:22)
To move in the haste of our own spirit, without the guidance of God’s Spirit, will never work a righteous result.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
Hastiness of spirit causes us to speak falsely and foolishly.
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. (Psalm 31:22)
I said in my haste, All men are liars. (Psalm 116:11)
While the hasty in spirit say “whatever enters their mind,” the patient in spirit speak wisely and carefully.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. (Proverbs 15:28)
We are called to be patient toward every person, even the most hostile.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Patience enables us to respond mildly to those who oppose or contradict us.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:3)
We follow in the steps of Christ when we respond patiently to an unjust or false charge.
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously (1 Peter 2:20-23)
Patience enables us to endure persecution without retaliation.
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
Possessing spiritual strength that keeps us from hasty speech and actions is superior to having physical strength.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32)
Patience requires great spiritual strength. In order to display patience in trials we must be strengthened by the power of God.
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:11)
Because we are most apt to become hasty in spirit when facing tribulation, we are called to be “patient in tribulation.”
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
The patience of the saints enables them to bravely endure the greatest tribulation.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10)
Patience is the spiritual root that enables us to endure.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. (Mark 4:16,17)
Patience is the spiritual strength to stay on God’s course when tempted to turn back or aside.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1)
Patience is the spiritual root that keeps the righteous from being moved by trials.
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. (Proverbs 12:3)
Patience is the root of the righteous that enables them to bring forth spiritual fruit.
The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. (Proverbs 12:12)
Patience is the spiritual strength through which all the fruit of the Spirit is brought forth.
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
Patience enables us to joyfully persevere through trials in expectation of spiritual growth and maturity.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Patience in the Old Testament is connected to waiting on the Lord to bring salvation to the righteous or judgment to the wicked.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (Psalm 37:7)
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)
Patience enables us to wait on the Lord for promises to be received and His word to be fulfilled.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36)
Patience enables us to wait in hope for the blessings of a future day.
…We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body…
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:23, 25)
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7)