Patience: The Staying Power Of Life
James 1:2-6
 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
The true meaning of the word patience has almost been lost in the English vocabulary. When this word is used in modern English, the perception is that if you wait for something for a while without complaining, you have the patience of Job and it will eventually happen for you somehow.
The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1, "…let us run with patience the race that is set before us,…"
Doesn't it seem odd to say run with patience? Let me ask you another question: If patience is a waiting game, does the one who waits the longest have the most patience? No, the word patience is not sitting around waiting for every good and perfect gift to fall into our lap. Patience means endurance.
Let’s look at a couple of definitions for the word “patience”.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines “patience” as: “steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity”.
“Patience” in various New Testament translations means: “constancy or perseverance in sustaining afflictions, also cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, to persevere patiently, to be long suffering, slow to anger not to lose heart, and also steadfastness”.
As we face and overcome our everyday challenges we will grow in patience and endurance and not allow the challenges to take our focus off the prize of the high calling that we striving for.
Now let's look at some biblical examples of patience.
The Lord Jesus, our solution to life
The Lord Jesus Christ was sent on a mission by God the father to earth. This would have a mission impossible for any man, but He wasn't just an ordinary man. He learned obedience and submission and relied totally on an inward certainty by the Holy Spirit. Within three and a half years this mission had to be completed and had to not only last for his lifetime on the earth, not for 2000 years, but to carry on throughout eternity. Speaking to the Father in John 17:4 Jesus says, "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do."
Paul, our example
The apostle Paul wrote more about patience (endurance) than anyone else in the Bible. Although he started his ministry later in life he too was on a mission. He also knew how to  endure and follow the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. He writes in Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
Paul says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Joshua and Caleb
Of over two million people whom Moses led out of the bondage of Egypt, Joshua and Caleb and those who were nineteen years old and younger were the only ones who entered the Promised Land (Numbers 32:11). Because of their rebellion against God, the rest wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and never entered the Promised Land. Caleb learned to endure as he had to wait 40 years to enter the Promised Land. How many people today would be prepared to wait 40 years for a promise to be fulfilled?
Caleb is an outstanding example of a man who had endurance and godly character. Because he wholly followed the Lord, God kept him physically strong and courageous beyond the age of eighty-five. He claimed a glorious inheritance - Hebron, near where Abraham had tented and died - and was eager at that age to fight and overcome the Anakim giants.
Life today is lived by most people, at a frenzied pace. The term "not enough hours in the day" is frequently heard as we try to squeeze as much as we can into 24 hours. Sometimes this may be unavoidable, however we need to take heed of what the Word says in Hebrews 12:1, in the Amplified translation says "let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us".
Just as you would train for an athletic event, you need to train spiritually by actively applying the appropriate scriptures in every situation you may be faced with. You need to feed on these scriptures, meditating and applying them so that they become effective in your daily life so that you may endure as you press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of  God in Christ Jesus.
We are in a race - but it's not against time. Even though every hindrance may be thrown at us to distract us from achieving this goal, let us continue running, until we receive the prize. The prize is inexpressibly great; and, if we lose it, it is not a simple loss, for the whole soul perishes. So let’s stay strong together and endure any trials that we may face with godly patience.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Bro. Peter Rahme
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