Dear reader, there is something important we need to know about the kingdom of God. A patient person is always God’s best friend.
Abraham.
To begin with, Abraham was 75 years old when God first made the promise that he would become a great nation. He waited another 25 years when Sarah gave birth to Isaac. As a result of his patience, Abraham became one of God’s best friends.
Sarah.
Second on the list was Sarah. She was childless and a patient person until she was 90 years old. God promised Abraham that she would be a mother of nations (Genesis 17:16) and that she would conceive and bear a son. Isaac, born to Sarah and Abraham in their old age, was a reward to her patience.
Job.
Third on the list is Job. This man was rich but he lost everything to the devil, including all his sons and daughters. The written word of God says that Job was patient in all the difficulties he went through and:
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:22
As a result of Job’s patience, the Lord restored all his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Also, the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part (see Job 42:12).
Elizabeth.
Fourth on the list is Elizabeth. The written word of God in the Bible tells us that Elizabeth was childless and became a patient person as she advanced in years. God recognised her patience and rewarded her with the boy John the Baptist.
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, we must learn from the patience of our Lord Jesus Christ. He suffered a violent arrest, flogging by Roman soldiers, carrying a heavy wooden cross, being almost naked, nailed to the cross, verbally insulted, wearing a crown of thorns and spending three nights in the tomb. In all this Jesus was patient and he never blamed God or those who crucified him.
As a result of all this patience, Jesus became one of God’s best friends. Heavenly Father rewarded Jesus Christ as indicated in Philippians 2:9-11:
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
