Isaiah 7:13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?”

Various English translations render this verse using “weary,” and the Japanese uses “make trouble for,” where the NIV uses “try the patience.” It’s clear Isaiah was tired of putting up with King Ahaz! It is risky to anthropomorphize God, because when we do that we limit Him in our minds, imagining Him to be like us, but at the same time we are limited in our ability to understand God, since we are finite and He is not. God, being outside of time, sees the end from the beginning, so patience wouldn’t seem to apply to Him, yet in His own description of Himself He said, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7) “Slow to anger” sounds like “patient” to me! I think the reason even He uses this terminology is that He wants us to copy Him, and patience is certainly something we need more of. We don’t see the end from the beginning, and we need to trust God with that end, however bumpy the road getting there, either in circumstances or in dealing with people.

I am currently faced with yet another training session in this very issue. Sometimes I think the older English term for patience, longsuffering, is very appropriate! (Yes, I know that “suffer” there means “allow,” but I think you get my point.) However, when I am tempted to be impatient with others or with circumstances, I remember how very patient God has been with me. As a matter of fact, His patience was the first thing I mentioned I was thankful for, when we had the church Thanksgiving dinner last month. I could never be as patient, much less more patient, with something or someone than God has been with me. At the same time, as this passage indicates, there are limits to how long God waits for things, and I am not to let “patience” be an excuse for inaction when God is saying to move. I have a strong streak of conflict avoidance, as well as plenty of inertia. I am not to let “patience” be a smoke screen for either of those things. The thing is, I don’t have the wisdom to know the difference! Once again I am back to my total dependence on God, and that’s not a bad thing. I am to seek Him at ever turn, for every decision, so that His name may be acknowledged as holy and His kingdom come as His will is done in and through me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this Word, and for this current training session. I pray that I would learn all that You are teaching me, for the benefit of those to whom I minister and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!