The word “ longsuffering” means patience. Our Lord is very patient and there is a reason why. It’s because He wants us to amend our ways so He can have His full way in our lives.
There are many instances from Scripture where we can see the longsuffering of the Lord. Let’s look at two examples:
“ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3: 9).
“By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water” (1 Peter 3: 19- 21).
From these two Scripture passages we can see the reason why the Lord is patient — to give us time to repent before it becomes too late. Have you ever tried to minister salvation to someone who thought that he or she had forever to repent? Nobody has forever to repent; now is the day of salvation. The wise say ‘yes’ now. The above also applies to us as Christians. We do not have forever to do or make the necessary adjustments required in our lives. If the Lord has told you to do something, then do it.
I once heard a great man of God, who is now in the forefront of ministry. However, years before he was not being responsive to the direction of the Lord for his live. One day the Lord told him, “If you don’t respond l will give your commission to somebody else”. He said that he didn’t like the sound of that and chose to obey. Today, his ministry is transforming lives. “To everything there is a time, and season for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
We live in a modern world, but don’t be deceived: everybody’s times and seasons are different. Nobody can afford not to do what they need to do. And comparing ourselves with others is the greatest mistake any man can make. Perhaps the Lord is saying, “Judge yourself regarding your diet, pray more, stop this or that”, and it’s all for a reason.
The Lord deals with us individually and nobody has forever to do what he or she knows needs to do.
Paul, the apostle, put it right: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2: 4).
The Lord being good to us despite us not doing what we know we should be doing should lead us to repentance and it is not to be taken for granted. Let’s not forget Romans 11: 22: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God.”
Perhaps you don’t know the Lord yet, let today be the day of salvation. Many left it till it was too late. Don’t be among those ending up in the wrong place for eternity.
We need to respond to the goodness of our Lord. It’s time to do what we know we need to be doing.
Originally posted on May 17, 2019 @ 11:14 AM