1 Peter 1:6 Add to your faith… patience. Read 5-8.
Some years ago we acquired a new puppy, a Doberman of all things! That breed has a bad name because it has been used as an attack dog, but our household’s version was a very friendly and enthusiastic creature—“man’s best friend”! Was he noisy? Yes. Dirt-bearing and flea-bitten at times? Yes. But he was eminently affectionate and strong. Rusty loved to jump up to greet you—and what a greeting you got! Thus the first thing he heard in the morning and at intervals through-out the day was, “Rusty, stay down!” Interestingly enough, our expression “stay down” is very much akin to the word rendered patience here in 2 Peter. And patience—whether in animal or man—has to be learned. Many of us admittedly have a fairly short fuse. We need to learn the blessed, gentle art of waiting for God to act in His own time and way. He is never late, never makes mistakes, and His timing is exquisitely beautiful.
You may have heard the story of the man who was seen wheeling a baby carriage with a crying infant inside. As he moved along the sidewalk, he was saying, “Now be patient, Albert. Be quiet, Albert. Albert, don’t fuss.” A lady who was about to pass him said, “Sir, it’s wonderful to hear you talk so soothingly to your baby.” “Oh,” the man replied, “I’m Albert.” See what this dear fellow was doing: he was speaking to his own heart, as we often need to speak to ours. “Stay down! Be patient.”
We are to be patient in prayer and intercession, patient when reversals come, when health is lost, when bereaved, when criticized by family and closest friends. Why? Because those testings bring us to a place of new awareness of Almighty God!
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
