Parental Patience
APRIL 14, 2023

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
Psalm 86:15

Recommended Reading: Matthew 18:21-22
Being a parent is perhaps the world’s best laboratory for learning patience. In fact, the younger the children, the greater the need for parental patience. Young children make the same bad choices over and over. Sometimes they forget; sometimes they willfully make the wrong choice; sometimes they are so young that they haven’t had time to learn. Whatever the reason(s) for the wrong choice, parents need lots of patience.

Compare that situation to our relationship with God. We are His children, all of us at varying levels of maturity (Romans 8:14). Sometimes we forget what our Father God desires; sometimes we choose to disobey; sometimes we haven’t learned what the Father’s will is. Whatever the reason(s) for our wrong choice, God has to exercise great patience with us as we grow spiritually. More often than not, patience requires forgiveness. Because Jesus told Peter not to count instances of forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22), we can assume God doesn’t count either.

Depend on God’s patience and forgiveness when you make a wrong choice (1 John 1:9). His fatherly love is manifested by His patience.

There is no divine attribute more wonderful than the patience of God.
John Benton