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The Patience of God
By George Stroh
March 15, 2021
For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, and for My praise I restrain it for you, in order not to cut you off. (Isaiah 48:9)
God has been very patient and gracious toward Israel, His chosen people; But as for Israel He says, "All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." (Romans 10:21) The Apostle Paul's heart broke as he thought about and prayed for his fellow Jews who believed in God, but rejected the person and saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ; Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. (Romans 10:1)
God has also been very patient and gracious toward the United States of America that claims to be One nation under God. But like Israel, the vast majority are obstinate, disobedient people who continually carry out the deeds of the flesh; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
As Daniel prayed for his people, we need to be praying as well; I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and loving kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances." (Daniel 9:4-5)
God continues to be patient, delaying His wrath and waiting for His chosen people, both Jews and gentiles, to repent of their sins and be saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone; The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) He is patient, but not eternally patient. Everyone will someday stand before Him in judgment; And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
It is a very foolish thing to disregard and disrespect the patience of God.
Maranatha!
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