The virtue called patience

Last of 2 parts

LAST week, the virtue of patience was thoroughly discussed. When properly cultivated by an individual, it will result in a happy and successful life.

Likewise, the power of prayer and having patience among God’s servants can overcome worries and all the things that may cause frustrations in one’s life.

It was also reported that on July 27, 1968, the Church Of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) reached the western hemisphere – Hawaii and California – under the prophecies written in the Holy Scriptures and through the initiative of the 2nd INC Executive Minister Brother Eraño G. Manalo.

Likewise, it portrayed that this development prompted the INC’s global stature nowadays through the patience of the INC leadership in propagating the gospel.

Thus, from the local congregations in Ewa, Oahu, Hawaii, and in San Francisco, California in the United States of America in 1968, the Church rapidly spread worldwide so that it has reached 162 countries and territories with members comprised of 150 races and nationalities.

The remaining part of an article titled “On having patience and praying” written by Brother Roland Aguirre, INC Minister of the Gospel and published online (https://www.pasugo.com.ph/on-having-patience-and-praying/) is hereby quoted.

The value of obedience

“Refusal to comply with God’s commandments is the reason things turn for the worse in man’s life. The prophet Jeremiah attested that the people of Israel were cursed by God and ended up in a wretched condition when they became stubborn and refused to obey His commands (Jer. 7:24-26, 28).

“Obeying God’s commandments is a must for His people to remain belonging to Him. God’s statement concerning the importance of obedience is unequivocally stated: ‘But I did command them to obey me so that I would be their God and they would be my people. And I told them to live the way I command them so that things would go well for them’ (Jer. 7:23 New International Version).

“Thus, what God’s people should make sure of is that they abide by the conditions He set in order for their prayers to be heard. Remaining obedient will surely result in God’s answer to their pleadings (1 John 3:22). They should never ever bear a grudge against God, complain, or give up on Him and lose hope if their prayers are not immediately answered.

Abiding trust in God

“Those who belong to God’s nation yet are impatient and complaining instead of trusting in Him have something to realize. God said: ‘Israel, why then do you complain that the Lord doesn’t know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young men can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak’ (Isa. 40:27-31 GNB).

“God wants His chosen ones to know that He is all-powerful and nothing is impossible with Him. He can give them whatever they need. He will do so in His time and His ways, just as long as they completely put their trust and hope in Him.

“The Bible makes clear the extent of God’s power and the things He can do for His righteous servants: ‘The Lord kills and restores to life; he sends people to the world of the dead and brings them back again. He makes some men poor and others rich; he humbles some and makes others great. He lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from their misery. He makes them companions of princes and puts them in places of honor. The foundation of the earth belongs to the Lord; on them, he has built the world.

He protects the lives of his faithful people, but the wicked disappear in the darkness; a man does not triumph by his own strength’ (1 Sam. 2:6-9 GNB).

“Hence, there is no reason for God’s people to complain and become impatient when situations around them look overwhelming and require immediate solutions.

Patient endurance

“Instead of complaining or losing one’s hope, His servants should wait in patience for His mercy: ‘So we should wait in patience… When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience; We should bow in submission, for there may still hope… The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever’ (Lam. 3:26, 28-29, 31 GNB).

“Undoubtedly, the Lord God is very eager and willing to help solve all the worries and provide all the needs of His people whom He has given the right to draw near or pray to Him and the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah elucidates: ‘And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord… The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to Him for help, He will answer you. The Lord will make you go through hard times, but He Himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for Him anymore. If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear His voice behind you saying, ‘Here is the road. Follow it’ (Isa 30:18-21 GNB).

“Hence, God’s chosen ones await their salvation that is certain to come with confident hope and trust. Amid all the haste and hardships in the world, they remain unperturbed knowing full well that they will receive God’s reward and promises as long as they continue doing His will: ‘So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised’ (Heb. 10:35-36 New Living Translation).

“They continue having faith in the power of prayer. The words of the Psalmist about patience in praying to the Lord God inspires them: ‘I waited patiently for the LORD’s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry’ (Ps. 40:1 NLT).”

* * *

If you want to know more about the things that you ought to do to be saved come Judgment Day – the Second Advent of Lord Jesus Christ, please call telephone numbers +632 981-4311/981-1111/719-78000 or email your queries to [email protected].

Dr. Antonio G. Papa is currently a trustee of the New Era University in Quezon City and the second head deacon at the Local Congregation of Indang, Ecclesiastical District of Cavite South. He is a retired university professor at the College of Economics, Management and Development Studies, Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, Cavite. In 2018, he served as a scientist 1 and consultant at Marinduque State College in Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education degree at the Don Severino Agricultural College now CvSU in 1978, and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Extension Education at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, College, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.