James 1:19-27, Addendum on Self-Control (2)

In the matter of “controlling” our passions, we must also remember that the “law” is ineffective.  This applies to the “law of Moses” or any law or list of does and don’ts we might come across.  The law actually arouses the passions (Rom. 7:5).  The “knowledge” we glean from Scripture must be applied through prayer and the control of the Spirit.  We have said that “knowledge” is important.  But when you know something that will help you to live a Christlike life, what do you do with that knowledge?  You commit your way to the Lord.  You acknowledge your weaknesses.  You acknowledge God’s will.  And then you ask Him to do the work in your life.  What you are about to get are Biblical insights relating to various areas of our lives.  Be careful lest they become the latest “law” in your life.  Instead, make each item a prayer request. 

There are two types of statements in this study.  There are things we need to think about and make part of our “mindset” (e.g. my body is for the Lord).  Then there are things we need to do (e.g. flee tempting situations).

2)    Self-control and anger (losing one’s temper).

a)    Prov. 16:32: Controlling your temper is better than controlling others.

b)    Prov. 29:11: Fools lose their cool; wise men don’t.  How do I want to be known?

c)    Prov. 22:24: Don’t make friendships with a man “given” to anger. 

d)    Eph. 4:26-27:

i)      Deal with resentful situations immediately.

ii)   Satan can gain a foothold through anger.

iii)            Instead, use your anger to bring about good.  In other words, instead of getting mad ask the Lord to help you see how He would use you for good in the situation.  Sometimes we call this “righteous indignation.”  Twice Jesus cleansed the temple in anger (John 2:13-22; Mk. 11:15-19).

e)    James 1:19-20:

i)      Be a good listener.  A better listener.  An avid listener.

ii)   Think before you speak.

iii)            Remember: anger does not bear good fruit.  You may think that your anger makes a change, that the other person “gets the point.”  But that is wrong!  All the other person has done is learn not to irritate you.  But you have not seen the Lord change their sinful way of thinking or acting.  And you have lost some of your “standing” with them, and they will be much less interesting in your opinion the next time. 

Here’s a couple of Biblical illustrations: Ex. 2:11-15 (Moses’ anger in Egypt, which only made matters worse); Num. 20:7-13 (Moses’ anger, striking the rock); 1 Sam. 18:8-11 (Saul’s anger against David). 

Psalm 119:65-72 Teth: Affirm God’s goodness in your trial.

Affliction reveals what we are like and how we view God.  It is most common to complain about our trials, or to exalt our pain by constant reference to it.  But these reactions reveal self-centeredness and call into question God’s goodness to us. 

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden (Gen. 3) they did so because they doubted God’s goodness.  God had given them all they needed, and had at the same time denied them access to one tree in the garden.  By eating the forbidden fruit they showed they could not trust God’s goodness.

In your response to affliction are you trusting God’s goodness?  That is what this stanza is about.  There is no question the Psalmist is in a difficult situation.  And yet his opening words are, “You have dealt well with Your servant (v65).”  He proclaims without holding back that God is good and does good (v68).  (This stanza is a great illustration of the oft-quoted promise of Rom. 8:28.)

These are not just pious words without content.  He means it!

·         67: his affliction has increased his obedience.

·         71: he has learned God’s word in a whole new and deeper way.

·      72: even though his trial has been expensive, he doesn’t feel the loss, because God’s word has become more precious to him.

Most people don’t share the priorities of the Psalmist, that insight into God’s word and obedience to it should be more valuable than “gold and silver”.  Rather, they are among the proud whose hearts are “as fat as grease” (v69-70).  The picture is of those who are hell-bent on a life of ease or luxury.  At best their relationship with God is bound up in constant requests to be free of sickness or poverty or persecution.  They would never pray, in their trials, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge” (v66). 

Let us not miss a key to this belief in God’s goodness during the days of darkness.  The Psalmist has a view of himself which is perfect: he is God’s servant (v65).  He acknowledges two things by that title.  First, God is the Sovereign Lord who has absolute power over His creation.  Second, God is a gracious and loving Lord.  Thus he trusts God’s lordship over him. 

How has God’s goodness been evident in your trial?  Are you growing deeper in His word?

1 Cor. 6:12-20 Addendum on Self-Control (1)

In the previous post, in section “d” we noted several areas where self-control is critical.  Our answers were quite short.  But, at other times over the years, we have developed more detailed answers, giving us Biblical knowledge (remember, knowledge is a key to putting on self-control) on each subject.  For the next few posts we plan to share those studies.  Remember that each “desire” is good, a part of how the Creator made us.  But because of sin, these “desires” must be controlled. 

1)    Self-control and fornication.  We are created with the potential for many desires.  One of these is a desire for intimacy.  There is one good way for this desire to be satisfied: with a covenant relationship (marriage) with a person of the opposite sex.  All other intimate relationships are “fornication” (sin).  How can we pursue God’s loving plan?

a)    1 Cor. 6:12-20:

i)      We must not allow the desire to be the strongest voice in our lives.  “I will not be brought under the power of any” (v12).

ii)   My physical body is “for the Lord,” a tool to serve Him.

iii)            My union (relationship) with Christ is more important than any other relationship.

iv) We must identify and then flee from tempting situations.

v)    As a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in my body.

b)    1 Cor. 7:1-5: If we are married we must not neglect marital intimacy, if at all possible.

c)    Matt. 5:28: Adultery in the heart or mind is sin; it is the same as committing the physical act. 

d)    Job 31:1-4: Pornography and wandering/lustful eyes are sins.

e)    1 Thess. 4:3-8:

i)      God’s will is holiness, that believers are separated unto Him.

ii)   God punished sexual sin.

f)     Prov. 5: We dealt with this passage in the previous post.  Here is a summary.

i)      Be forewarned; personal destruction awaits fornicators.

ii)   Stay away from the harlot or seductive woman.

iii)            Develop a good physical relationship with your wife.

iv) Remember: all sin, including fornication, brings bondage.

g)    1 Tim. 5:2: Treat young women as sisters, in purity.  In other words, no suggestive talk, no showing off for them, and so forth.

h)    2 Tim. 2:22: Flee the kind of lusts that are “common” to young men.

i)      Add Genesis 39 to your list of Biblical illustrations.  It is the story of Joseph in Egypt and his purity.

2 Peter 1:1-8, SELF-CONTROL vs. self-indulgence (3)

d)    What areas are of major concern to Christians in exercising self-control?

i)      1 Cor. 6:12-20: physical intimacy, sexual immorality.

ii)   Prov. 16:32; 29:11: anger.

iii)            Prov. 15:28; 18:13; 21:23: words.

iv) Prov. 23:20-21; 25:16: consumption of food and drink.

v)    Prov. 25:17: friendships.

vi) Prov. 28:22: riches, the love of money.

vii)          Gen. 4:7: our worship!  Cain refused to rule over sin that was crouching at the door of his heart.  The result was that he turned away from God.

e)    How can a Christian gain control of self?

i)      Gal. 5:22-25: As the Spirit controls He exalts Christ in our hearts and minds so we are transformed into Christ’s image.  In other words, the Spirit produces His fruit.  This transformation is the result of coming to Christ, dying with Him and being raised to the new life.  We have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Apart from Christ, we will always be subject to the flesh with its passions and desires (Rom. 8:7-8).

ii)   Here are a couple of other “helps” in gaining self-control.

(1)                        1 Cor. 9:25: Living life with a sense of our purpose in Christ.  Remember how Paul was not swayed by the advice of other Christians, but kept the course Christ laid out before him (Ac. 20:24).  Why are you here?  The answer to that question controls all your passions.

(2)                        2 Pet. 1:6(5-8): In my understanding of this passage there is a natural progression eight qualities.  One leads to the next.  “Knowledge” precedes “self-control.”  I believe that knowledge of ourselves and the situations we deal with from day to day is essential to self-control.  Let me use Prov. 5 (the fathers advice to his son about the immoral woman and the physical enjoyment of marriage) as an illustration.

(a) Prov. 5:1-2: The boy needs knowledge (2 Pt. 1:6).  He has no idea what he is going to run into as he enters adolescence.

(b)            Prov. 5:3-14: The father tells him the truth about the woman who would try to convince him to engage in sexual immorality.  And he tells him the only solution: flee!  Stay away! (1 Cor. 6:18[12-20]).

(c) Prov. 5:15-21: The father informs his son about how to find sexual satisfaction in marriage (1 Cor. 7:9: but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry.)

(d)            Prov. 5:22-23: The father reminds the son to fear God.  God sees all and will hold him accountable, even for what is done in secret.

Many passages are worthy of memorization; I suggest 1 Cor. 6:12.

2 Tim. 3:1-5, SELF-CONTROL vs. self-indulgence (2)

b)    Why is self-control so important?

i)      1 Cor. 6:19-20: Because God owns us.  Remember that self-control is instant obedience to the Holy Spirit.

ii)   Prov. 27:7: It is essential to “soul satisfaction.”  In our society “freedom” has led people to look for more and more activities that satisfy the fleshly desires.  But at the same time, their souls are empty.  “Empty” is “vanity” in the book of Ecclesiastes.  “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.”  More toys, more sex and more power do not satisfy the soul.

iii)            Prov. 25:28: It is essential for “spiritual protection.”  It’s not just that seeking after the world’s happiness leaves our souls empty; it also does harm to our soul.  It leaves the inner self open to the bombardment of Satan, the world and the flesh.

iv) Acts 24:25: Paul reasoned with Felix about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.”  To me, it has always seemed interesting.  Righteousness and judgment are subjects Felix should know and care about.  But self-control takes on a greater importance being joined to these.  The Roman world at that time, as is true of our world and is where every society is eventually headed, was not about self-control (unless you were an athlete) but about self-indulgence.  That’s why Felix left Paul, an innocent man, in prison: he hoped to get money from him and he hoped to make the Jews happy, who were seldom happy with Rome (24:26-27).

c)    What time period is marked by a lack of self-control? (2 Tim. 3:1-5) The Bible refers to the “last days” is being marked by lack of self-control.  Note that these times are said to be “perilous.”  Yes, it is perilous to lack restraint. 

i)      Now, if you want illustrations of this, remember that the “last days” are like remember that the Bible says they are like the days of Noah, leading up to the flood (Matt. 24:37; Gen. 6:1-8); and they are like the days of Lot, leading up to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:28-29). 

ii)   Further, we can speak of the times of the Judges when everyone did what was right in their own eyes.  And lastly, in Rom. 1:18-32 there is a progression (rather, “regression”) of mankind, having turned away from God and having made himself “god,” God gives them over to increasing depths of wickedness, culminating in 1:28-32 which is a description of the depravity that people can come to.  These are all forms of self-indulgence.

We shouldn’t be surprised that so many “wild and crazy” sins are dominating the landscape in our country.  Let’s quit being shocked and recognize: these are the last days.

2 Sam. 11:1-5, SELF-CONTROL vs. self-indulgence (1)

1)    Definition: Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit.

2)    Scripture: Prov. 5; 10:14; 13:3; 17:27-28; 20:25; 23:1-3; 29:20; Ac. 24:25; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; Titus 1:8; Jas. 3:1-12 (underlined passages are on the “tongue”) plus other passages listed in the Bible Study.

3)    Underlying Principle: God created man with certain good desires and gave man responsibility for controlling them (not letting them control him; Gen. 1:28; 4:7).

4)    Illustration: 2 Sam. 11:1-5.  Self-control is such a major issue that there is no shortage of stories in the Bible that illustrate both the exercise and failure to exercise self-control.  It is basic to the first sin in Eden.  The temptation is of the “lust of the flesh” (the fruit was good for food), “lust of the eyes” (the fruit was beautiful to behold) and “the pride of life” (it will make you like God).  The beginning of “the matter of Urijah the Hittite” (remember, that is the title affixed to this event, 1 Ki. 15:5; it was not the sin of David and Bathsheba; David sinned against God, Ps. 51:4, and against Uriah) is powerful.  We see how David had a problem because he was idle, not going to war with the army as he usually did.  We see how an “accidental” viewing of a naked woman became the opportunity for lust to consume David.  But even then, David had to find out who she was and then order his servants to bring her to him.  There were several steps along the way where David could have overruled his lusts, but he didn’t.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Who must exercise self-control?  (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Of course, without looking, the answer is everyone.  But in this passage Paul uses the illustration of the “athlete,” both “runners” and “boxers.”  What is important is that he applies this illustration to Christians.  The fact that we have come to Christ in faith does not mean we do not need to live a disciplined life.  In Rome, runners would abstain from unwholesome food, wine and sexual indulgence as they prepared for a race.  These were legal for the runner but, in his view, would keep him from winning the race.  As Christians the question for us is not simply is something “legal” or “permitted;” the question is will it hinder me from maximum usefulness to my Lord.  Let us close today with the “twin” verses from Paul on this subject:

1 Cor. 6:12: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 

1 Cor. 10:23: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

Rom. 13, RESPONSIBILITY vs. unreliability (2)

The question is: what about our works is of concern to God our Judge?

i)      Jer. 17:10: Was my heart really in it?  What secret thoughts (mind) did I have? 

ii)   1 Cor. 3:8,12-13: For Christians, did I recognize this “work” as an opportunity for ministry and to use my spiritual gift?  We don’t have to do the work of others, but we want to be faithful in doing the thing God gave me to do.

iii)            Prov. 24:11-12: Did this work serve to warn the wicked?  Sometimes we make a “sin of omission” in failing to warn the wicked.

iv) Prov. 25:21-22: Did I remember that I was not to avoid doing good for those who hate me? 

b)    In the following applications of the “law of the harvest” (you reap what you sow) who is accountable and what is the punishment or reward?

	“Who”	“What”
Prov. 1:30-33	The “simple.” Will he listen to or ignore wisdom?	Destruction or safety
Prov. 6:12-15	The “wicked”	Calamity
Prov. 6:27-29	The “adulterer”	He’ll get “burnt,” be held guilty
Prov. 16:5	The “proud”	He’ll be punished

 

c)    To what other “authorities” appointed by God are we responsible?

i)      Prov. 6:20: Our parents (until we leave home).

ii)   Rom. 13:3-4: Governmental leaders.

iii)            Heb. 13:7,17: Church leadership.

iv) 1 Peter 2:18: Our earthly masters (the boss, supervisor, the one that has the position of authority in the workplace).

v)    Matt. 5:33-37: We are responsible to keep our word, to whomever we have given it.

vi) In addition, we know that we also serve our spouse, our enemy, our brothers in Christ and so forth.  We take on responsibility from God when we are told to “love” someone.  In the end, while responsibility to earthly authorities depends on the “job description,” we know that in all things we are accountable to God. 

May I encourage you to memorize Rom. 14:12.

Luke 12:42-48, RESPONSIBILITY vs. unreliability (1)

1)    Def.: Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me.

2)    Scripture: Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 4:1-5; Rev. 2:28; 20:12; 22:12; Job 34:11; Ps. 62:12 (plus others listed in the Bible Study section).

3)    Underlying principle: There are relationships in life, with God and with those He has ordained, in which we are held responsible (accountable).

4)    Illustration: 1 Sam. 10:8; 13:8-14.  This is a powerful story on the subject of responsibility.  All too often we want to offer excuses for our mistakes.  King Saul was very good at this, making excuses.  In 10:8 Samuel told Saul to wait in Gilgal and in seven days he would arrive and “show” Saul what to do.  Samuel was late, at least in Saul’s eyes.  Saul’s excuse was that the people were starting to scatter.  It is interesting that we are not told why Samuel was late.  After all, he did say “seven days.”  But apparently it doesn’t matter.  Early or late, Saul was to wait so Samuel could show Saul the way.  As you see in the text, Saul acted foolishly and forfeited God’s blessing of a dynasty in Israel.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Responsibility is best understood in the realm of “stewardship.”  What three things are present in a stewardship relationship (Luke. 12:42-48).

i)      Some to be responsible to, the householder.

ii)   A job description (what is expected of me).  As 1 Cor. 4:2 puts it, the issue is, “will I be faithful to do what I have agreed to do.”

iii)            A time of accountability, when there will be reward or punishment.

b)    Let’s begin at the “top.”  Who is accountable to God?  Rom. 2:5-6 says God, the Judge of all mankind (because He is the Creator of all mankind) will judge each according to his deeds.  Jer. 32:19 indicates that every facet of our lives is open to God’s judgment, for His eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.  There will be room for no excuses or exceptions.

c)    Matt. 16:27 says what the previous passages said: God will judge us for our actions, our works.  But what about those “works” matters to God?

i)      Isa. 3:10-11; Ezek. 18:30: The ethical character of those works (is it righteous or wicked.)

ii)   Prov. 16:2: The motive that led us to do those works.

iii)            2 Cor. 5:10: The usefulness of those works in glorifying God.  That is the meaning of  “good” in this verse: was it the best way to glorify God.

iv) Gal. 6:7-8: Where did the power come from in doing these works?  Was it from my own “best I can” flesh or from God?

More on this question in the next post.

Psalm 119:57-64 Heth: Make God your portion, your satisfaction.

There are few better thoughts in all of Scripture than to know God as one’s “portion” (v57).  Our portion is, of course, our “lot in life” so to speak.  It is what will be ours in this lifetime. 

Most people measure their “portion” according to money, pleasure or fame.  But most people also are not satisfied.  You can hear it in their complaints and see it in their endless seeking after another dollar, a bigger kick, or another promotion. 

A “portion” was what God said He would be for the Levites (Num. 18:20).  All the other tribes received land and cities of their own.  The Levites got God for their inheritance. 

Now some might think the Levites had a hard life, always dependent on God for their needs.  But anyone who thinks that way doesn’t understand the last verse of this stanza: “The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy” (v64).  In fact, a person can have nothing better than to have God as their portion. 

The trials of our lives are designed to reveal whether or not God is our portion.  In the book of Lamentations, where Jeremiah recorded his utter discouragement at the loss of all that was dear to him, God brought him to see that he still had all he needed because God was his portion (Lam. 3:22-24). 

So it is in this stanza of Psalm 119: it is revealed that the Psalmist’s portion was God.  The middle verses (58-63) describe the lifestyle of one who is finding his satisfaction in God.

·         58: he brings his petitions to God with his whole heart (i.e. he has no other heart-desire to find answers in any other portion).

·         59: he orders his daily path to follow after God.

·         60: he wastes no time in obeying God’s word.

·         61: when beset by circumstances, he stays the course laid out in God’s word.

·         62: in the odd hours his thoughts are of the Lord.

·         63: he encourages himself by fellowship with those who also seek God as their portion.

Who or what is your portion?  Are you putting your trust in your own value? or your possessions? or the next thrill?  Or can you say that your Portion fills the earth with His mercy?

2 Sam. 20:1-10, PUNCTUALITY vs. tardiness

1)    Definition: showing high esteem for other people and their time.

2)    Scripture: Ps. 119:60; Isa. 46:13; Prov. 3:27-28; 25:11; 31:15; Ex. 22:29; Ecc. 3:1; Ac. 22:16; 2 Cor. 6:2; Gal. 4:4; 1 Pet. 5:6; Heb. 10:37; Mt. 24:48.

3)    Underlying Principle: Christians are commanded to love (John 13:34-35) and honor (Phil. 2:3-4) others.

4)    Illustration: 2 Sam. 20:1-10.  This is the story of Amasa, whom David had appointed to replace Joab as commander of his army.  Amasa delayed in gathering the army as David commanded and put the nation in jeopardy.  It was a problem for Amasa, although it did not justify Joab killing Amasa.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Is God ever late?  Asking this allows us to see that being on time is a virtrue.

i)      Gal. 4:4: The Incarnation was right on time.

ii)   Heb. 10:37; Matt. 24:48: The return of Christ will be on time, God’s time.

iii)            Isa. 46:13: Deliverance (salvation) comes at the right time; you may think God is late but there is “no delay.”

iv) 1 Pet. 5:6: The humble will be exalted in due time, the right time.

v)    Gal. 6:9: Service for the Lord is rewarded at the right time.

b)    What areas of life are suggested in these verses in which we should be punctual?  WARNING: This is not a complete list.  And it should not make us think it is simply up to us.  As we noted above, God’s intends to be our help.

i)      Acts 22:16; 2 Cor. 6:2: There is no time to wait when it comes to trusting Jesus Christ for salvation.

ii)   Psalm 119:60: Likewise, there is no time to wait in obedience to God’s word.  Waiting only brings loss of reward and unhappiness.

iii)            Prov. 25:11: We should not delay when it is the right time to give an encouraging word to others.  We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in this.

iv) Ex. 22:29: We ought not delay in giving gifts and offerings to the Lord.

v)    Prov. 3:27-28: Likewise, we should not delay in paying our debts.  Failure is a bad testimony and deprives others of their needs.

vi) Prov. 31:15: We should be timely in fulfilling our household responsibilities; each of us has a great ministry to carry out in our homes.

Last, here is something to consider, from Eph. 5:16/Col. 4:5.  Christians are to “redeem the time.”  That means we are to make good use of our days and moments.  Punctuality has a lot to do with that!  It would be good to commit to memory one of these verses.

James 1:2-12, PATIENCE vs. restlessness (2)

b)    What are some of the rewards for “patience”?

i)      Prov. 14:30: Better health.  You may not see the word “patience” in this verse.  However, “envy” is the restlessness that is the opposite of patience.

ii)   Prov. 17:3: Refining.  We grow more into the likeness of Christ.

c)    Patience is hard, but what makes it easier?

i)      Prov. 13:12,19: Sometimes we experience fulfillments.  These are like “a tree of life” and are “sweet to the soul.”  We should be sure to remember these times because they are testimonies that will help to sustain us as we wait upon the Lord.

ii)   Rom. 8:18: Always, there is the “hope of glory.”  The reality of the future day when Christ appears in glory and establishes His rule on earth, a rule of righteousness and peace, is a reality that keeps us faithful in this life.

d)    How can a person become patient? 

i)      Rom. 5:3-5; Jas. 1:3-4: It cannot happen apart from trials.  But we need to remember: the trial itself does not increase our patience.  It is the context where it happens.  Trials are like a swim in the ocean: the water can drown us or we can use the water to swim and reach the shore.

ii)   Rom. 15:5: God has a supply of both patience and comfort, two major needs in times of trial.

iii)            Col. 1:11: Therefore, He strengthens us with His glorious power, producing joyful patience and longsuffering.

iv) Gal. 5:22: Patience is the fruit of the Spirit; thus we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

v)    Rom. 15:4: The Scriptures, especially the stories in the Old Testament, stimulate us to patience and comfort. 

vi) Col. 3:12: Here we are reminded that patience is part of the “new man,” the life of Christ.  As we go through life we are putting off the restless old man through repentance, immersing ourselves in God’s word so as to renew our minds, and then by faith putting on the righteous new man.

One of my favorite passages for memorization is James 1:2-4.  And if you wonder if it is worth it all, may I recommend Rev. 21:7: He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  Amen!

Job 1:13-22, PATIENCE vs. restlessness (1)

1)    Definition: Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it.

a)    In the New Testament there are two Greek words to note.  One, hupomone, has to do with patience with things or situations.  That is the term we are considering here.  The other, makrothumia, has to do with patience with people.  We will consider that at a later time.

b)    “Situations” are events in my life that present me with a choice of handling it right or wrong.  This includes both of what we call “acts of God” (trials, “natural disasters, sickness, persecution for Christ etc.) and “temptations” (being enticed by Satan to sin).

2)    Scripture: Prov. 10:25; 13:1,12,19; 14:30; 17:3; 20:30; 24:21-22; 25:15; Rom. 5:3-5; 15:4-5; Col. 1:11; 3:12; Gal. 5:22; Jas. 1:3-4; 5:7-11; 1 Pt. 3:20; 2 Pt. 3:9.

3)    Underlying Principle: God is sovereign and controls both me and the circumstances of my life (this includes the faithfulness of God as explained in 1 Cor. 10:13).

4)    Illustrations:

a)    1 Sam. 1:18, Hannah who was childless, but cried out to God and He gave her Samuel.

b)    1 Sam. 19-31, David’s patience, waiting for his day to become King of Israel.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Depending on your English translation there are other words that might be used for “patience”: perseverance, endurance, forbearance and persistence are a few.  How do these passages illustrate “patience?”  Consider how each one illustrates the definition of “patience” given above.

i)      James 5:7: The farmer patiently waits for his crop to ripen. 

ii)   James 5:10: The OT prophets all maintained the promise that God would one day send the Savior.  In addition, they preached against the sin of Israel and were sometimes persecuted for it.  And if not physically persecuted, they were often ignored or ridiculed.  In all these things, they were patient. 

iii)            James 5:11: The classic example of patience in the OT was, of course, Job.  He endured much grief and pain, and the questioning of his “friends,” and then accepted humbly God’s reproof.

iv) Prov. 13:1: Here is a common situation requiring patience … the discipline of a child by his father.  We can add Prov. 3:11-12, quoted in Heb. 12:5-6, that we should not “despise” the chastening of the LORD nor get “discouraged” but should endure it as God’s love for us.