patience for today and tomorrow

“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Heb. 6:15).

Abraham was long tried, but he was richly rewarded. The Lord tried him by delaying to fulfil His promise. Satan tried him by temptation; men tried him by jealousy, distrust, and opposition; Sarah tried him by her peevishness. But he patiently endured. He did not question God’s veracity, nor limit His power, nor doubt His faithfulness, nor grieve His love; but he bowed to Divine Sovereignty, submitted to Infinite Wisdom, and was silent under delays, waiting the Lord’s time. And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

God’s promises cannot fail of their accomplishment. Patient waiters cannot be disappointed. Believing expectation shall be realized.

Beloved, Abraham’s conduct condemns a hasty spirit, reproves a murmuring one, commends a patient one, and encourages quiet submission to God’s will and way. Remember, Abraham was tried; he patiently waited; he received the promise, and was satisfied. Imitate his example, and you will share the same blessing.  (Excerpt from Streams in the Desert, Sept. 11.)

Lord, this is my prayer, that I would not limit your power or question your faithfulness.  May I hold tightly to You Lord, leaning into Your divine strength and power, comforted by Your love.  My trust is in You, may it be steadfast.  My hope is in You, may it endure forever.  My good is what You desire, for Your glory...Lord, imprint these desires on my heart.  I long for presence in eternity with You Lord, may Your spirit dwell in me, may Your strength sustain me, may Your love embrace me, may Your patience become my own until that day.  You have placed desires in my heart and I know that they would not be there if you did not place them there.  Lord, I trust Your timing, by Your blessing, You will fulfill Your promises, or You will extinguish them from me.  Lord, my hope is in You, creator, sustainer, savior of the universe.  You love me, are working in me, and are refining me for Your glory and Your kingdom.  Through a period of upheaval, I welcome the refining Lord because I know that You are drawing me closer to You and strengthening my faith.  By Your grace and mercy and power and love You have blessed me with incredible strength and a trust in Your faithfulness, Lord please continue to let me rest within the safety of Your wings.  Only by Your power can I do anything.

This current experience is a rainbow, Your promise to me that You would never let me go.  Four years ago I found myself in a similar experience and struggled to cling to You.  I clung to other things, anything I could find that I felt like I could control.  I cried for months, I stopped eating, i stopped talking to You, I questioned You, I didn't trust You, I asked how You could do this to me, to my heart.  Lord, no matter what happens, I trust You completely!  You have rescued me from dark destructive places and restored me.  You are faithful, and I know that You will never let me go.  Remembering Your faithfulness, especially in the midst of my distrust, encourages me even now when I could be turning away.  I could resign to my own decisions, my own devices, my own destruction; and yet I know that I have a God who knows me and loves me and has been working inside me for so long.  I pray that You would always keep me in a place of utter dependence on You Lord, I can't and don't want to do this life on my own.  

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  Romans 5:1-5


I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God!  Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.