Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

The theme of yesterday’s DWOD is encapsulated in this verse: Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act (Psalm 37:7).

As I finished writing it, the Lord reminded me that there is another test of patience that is often more difficult to endure than waiting for Him. Put simply, it has to do with how patient we are with one another.

We who are created in the image of God and growing in the likeness of His Son Jesus would only be mirroring Him when we are patient, amen? After all “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

You will also recall that among the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit, fourth in prominence is the pomegranate of patience. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

And, let us not forget that at the top of the list of the many manifestations of love in I Corinthians 13:4-8 is that word again! “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (I Corinthians 13:4-5)

Judging by these verses, you could be led to believe that those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord, filled to overflowing with the love of the Father and operating in the power of the Holy Spirit would automatically be patient with one another.

Alas! Such is not the case. Mea culpa. Otherwise there would be no need for exhortations such as the one at the top of this post and those listed below penned by the apostle Paul:

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; BE PATIENT, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and PATIENCE. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13)

Yet, I am very grateful to God for those who have been patient with me over the years, most notably, my wife Sulojana, who has had to put up with me for more than three decades now! Ditto for my parents, children, other members of the family and members of the churches I have pastored.

Kudos also to you, our faithful DWOD subscribers, for your patience with me over the past month or so, when the daily posts have not always showed up daily…or they show up pre-dated by three days…or when three arrive in quick succession within a 24 hour period.

Let me first of all apologize for the recent lack of consistency. It is partly due to the priorities of pastoring superseding other labours of love, compounded by Darren Canning having to cut down his customary prolific production due to the demands of his new job.

We are grateful to our guest contributors who have filled in admirably, as necessary. We are almost caught up with the backlog. Beginning next week, we will honour our commitment to help you start every morning with the Destiny Word of the Day.

May you continue to be patient with one another as God is with you and as you have been with me. May others know that you are followers of Jesus by your love which is marked—first and foremost—by patience.