Love is Patient
May 16, 2024
“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.” I Cor. 13:4-8a NIV
God is patient with us. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “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.” He is willing to wait on us to respond to Him, to turn from our sins, to do what is right. He is long-suffering with us.
The Greek word used for patience is makrothyméō. It’s fuller meaning includes refusing to retaliate with anger – deferring anger for a long time. He will not retaliate in anger against us. And since 2 Peter 3:8 says “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” – we can be sure His patience is not going to run out on us.
For the full story, check out Consider the Breadth of God’s Love.