1, 2. What will we discuss in this article?
Suppose we are waiting for a shipment that we need a lot but is taking longer than we expected to arrive. How would we feel? Maybe we would be restless. No wonder Proverbs 13:12 says, "Expectations that are slow to fulfill make the heart sick." But what if we find out that there are compelling reasons why it hasn't arrived yet? In that case, we are probably more willing to wait patiently.
In this article, we will look at several biblical principles that can help us continue to wait patiently (Mic. 7: 7). Then we will discuss two situations in which we must be patient and wait for Jehovah to act. Finally, we will analyze the blessings that will receive those who are willing to do so.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES THAT TEACH US TO BE PATIENTS
3. What principle stands out in Proverbs 13:11?
In Proverbs 13:11 we find an example that shows the importance of being patient. There it says: "The riches that are obtained quickly will decrease, but those that are gathered little by little will increase." What principle do we learn from this verse? That the wisest thing is to do things patiently, step by step.
4. What principle do we find in Proverbs 4:18?
Proverbs 4:18 tells us that "the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, shining brighter and brighter until it is broad daylight." These words clearly show us that Jehovah is progressively teaching his people his purpose. Now this verse can also be applied more broadly to the spiritual progress of the Christian. This is a process that takes time, it cannot be accelerated. If we carefully study and put into practice the advice we receive through the Word of God and its organization, little by little we will adopt the personality of Christ and we will know God better. Jesus explained this point with an example. Let's see it.
ILLUSTRATION:
Picture series: The Bible student's progress is compared to the gradual growth of a plant. 1. A farmer sows seeds; a man listens to a brother who preaches next to a cart of publications. 2. The seeds sprout; the man studies the Bible, but he still has a Christmas tree in his house. 3. Plants grow; the man greets a brother at a congregation meeting. 4. The seeds bear fruit; the man is baptized.
The person who hears and accepts the message of the Kingdom grows spiritually like a plant: little by little. (See paragraph 5.)
5. What example did Jesus use to teach us that spiritual growth is progressive?
In a parable, Jesus compared the Kingdom message that we preach to a little seed that grows little by little inside good-hearted people. He said: “The seeds sprout and the plants grow large, although he [the sower] does not know exactly how. By itself, the earth bears fruit: first the stem, then the ear, and lastly the ripened grain in the ear ”(Mark 4:27, 28). What he wanted to say? That the person who accepts the message of the Kingdom grows spiritually like a plant: little by little. For example, we can see this as our Bible students draw closer to Jehovah and we begin to notice the changes they make in their lives (Eph. 4: 22-24). But we must remember that it is Jehovah who makes that little seed grow (1 Cor. 3: 7).
6, 7. What do we learn from the way Jehovah created the earth?
Whenever he does something, Jehovah is patient and takes whatever time is necessary. And he does it both for the glory of his name and for the good of others. Take, for example, the steps you took when preparing the Earth for humans.
In describing how Jehovah created the earth, the Bible says that he “fixed its dimensions,” fitted “its foundations,” and “laid its cornerstone” (Job 38: 5, 6). He even took time to reflect on his work (Gen. 1:10, 12). Can we imagine how the angels felt when they saw that Jehovah was creating everything? They must have been very emotional, for at one point they even “shouted praise” (Job 38: 7). What do we learn? That it took Jehovah thousands of years to create the earth, the stars and living things, and when he stopped to look at everything he had created, he said that “it was all very good” (Gen. 1:31).
8. What will we see now?
As we have seen in the previous examples, the Bible contains many principles that teach us the importance of being patient. Let us now look at two situations in which we must be willing to wait for Jehovah to act.
SITUATIONS IN WHICH WE SHOULD WAIT FOR JEHOVAH TO ACT
9. In what situation do we have to wait for Jehovah to act?
When it seems to us that Jehovah does not answer our prayers immediately. If we ask him to give us strength to deal with a problem or to help us overcome a weakness, we may feel that he is taking longer to answer us than we expected. Why doesn't Jehovah answer all of our prayers instantly?
10. Why should we be patient when we pray?
Jehovah pays close attention to our prayers. —Psalm 65: 2. He considers them a test of our faith (Heb. 11: 6). In addition, he is very interested in seeing if we are really determined to live in harmony with what we ask of him and to do his will (1 John 3:22). So if we are trying to overcome a bad habit or weakness, we may have to be patient and act on our prayers. Jesus implied that God might not answer some of our prayers immediately by saying, “Keep asking and it will be given to you, keep looking and you will find, keep knocking on the door and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and to everyone who knocks it will be opened ”(Matt. 7: 7, 8). If we follow this advice and persevere in prayer,
ILLUSTRATION:
Let us continue to pray in faith as we wait for Jehovah to act. (See paragraph 11) *
11. How does Hebrews 4:16 help us when it seems that the answer to a prayer is slow in coming?
The answer to a prayer may seem slow in coming, but Jehovah promises that he will answer us “just in time” (read Hebrews 4:16). So we should never think that Jehovah makes a mistake if he does not respond to us when it seems to us that he should. For example, many have been asking him for years to see how his Kingdom breaks this system. Jesus even said to ask for the Kingdom of God to come (Matt. 6:10). But how foolish it would be for us to lose faith in God because the end did not come when we expected it (Hab. 2: 3; Matt. 24:44). The wise thing to do is to keep waiting for Jehovah to act and praying in faith. The end will come just at the right time because Jehovah has already set "the day and the hour." And it will be the best time for all (Matt. 24:36; 2 Pet. 3:15).
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: 1. José's brothers drag him and throw him into an empty cistern. 2. Joseph looks up at the sky from inside a prison. 3. José is very happy with his father, Jacob.
What lesson in patience does Joseph's example teach us? (See paragraphs 12-14).
12. When can it be especially difficult to be patient?
When we suffer injustices. Today, people mistreat those who are different because of their gender, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, or because of some physical or mental disability. Many servants of God have been treated unfairly for their Bible-based beliefs. If we are in one of those cases, let us remember these words of Jesus: "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13). But what if we learn that someone in the congregation has committed a serious sin? If the elders already know, will we be patient and trust that they will handle the matter following Jehovah's guidance? What will they do?
13. How does Jehovah want serious sins to be handled?
When the elders learn that someone in the congregation has committed a serious sin, they ask Jehovah to give them “wisdom from above” so that they can see the situation as he sees it. --Jas. 3:17. His goal is to help the person who has sinned to turn “from his wrong way,” if possible (James 5:19, 20). They also want to do everything in their power to protect the congregation and to comfort those who are hurt (2 Cor. 1: 3, 4). In attending to grave sins, the first thing elders should do is get all the facts. This takes time. Then they should pray, carefully counsel the person using the Bible, and correct him "to the extent that he should" (Jer. 30:11). Sure, they won't delay your decision unnecessarily, but they won't make it in a hurry either. When elders follow Jehovah's guidance, the greatest benefit is achieved for everyone in the congregation. Still, there may be an innocent victim who still feels hurt. If that is our case, what can we do to alleviate the pain we feel?
14. What biblical example can help us if a brother has done us a lot of harm?
Has anyone ever done us a lot of harm, maybe even within the congregation? If so, we can find examples in God's Word that help us wait for Jehovah to fix things. For example, Joseph did not allow the injustices and sins that his brothers committed against him to embitter him. Rather, he remained focused on serving Jehovah, and he blessed him for his patience and endurance. —Gen. 39:21. In time, Joseph was able to forgive his brothers and see how Jehovah had blessed him (Gen. 45: 5). Like Joseph, we feel comfort when we approach Jehovah and let him do justice. --Psalm 7:17; 73:28.
15. What helped a sister to endure an injustice with patience?
Sure, we may not suffer injustices as serious as José, but it hurts all of us to be treated badly. In any case, if we have a problem with someone, even if they are not one of Jehovah's Witnesses, it will do us good to follow biblical principles. --Philip. 2: 3, 4. Let's see what one sister did when she found out that a co-worker was saying bad things about her that weren't true. Although she was very hurt, she did not allow herself to be carried away by anger, but instead began to think about the example of Jesus, who did not return insults when they were insulting him (1 Pet. 2:21, 23). So the sister decided to ignore what had happened. Later she learned that the companion suffered from a serious health problem and her nerves were on the surface. The sister concluded that her partner probably had no ill intentions.
16. What can comfort us if we are enduring an injustice? (1 Peter 3:12).
If we are enduring an injustice or some other problem that causes us pain, let us remember that Jehovah reaches out to “those who are broken in heart” (Ps. 34:18). He loves us because we are patient and we throw our burden on him (Ps. 55:22). He is the Judge of all the earth and his eyes see everything (read 1 Peter 3:12). So if we go through difficult problems that we cannot solve, let us remember that we must be willing to wait for Jehovah to act.
THOSE WHO WAIT FOR JEHOVAH TO ACT WILL HAVE ENDLESS BLESSINGS
17. What does Jehovah promise us in Isaiah 30:18?
Before long, our heavenly Father will give us many blessings through his Kingdom. Isaiah 30:18 says: “Jehovah waits patiently to show you favor, and he will rise up to show you mercy. Because Jehovah is a God of justice. Happy all those who look forward to it ”. Those who look forward to Jehovah's action will have many blessings now and in the future new world.
18. What blessings await us?
In the new world, God's servants will never again have to put up with the problems and concerns we face today. There will be no more injustice or pain (Rev. 21: 4). We will not have to worry about getting the necessary things, because there will be everything in abundance (Ps. 72:16; Isa. 54:13). Wonderful!
19. What is Jehovah gradually preparing us for?
Meanwhile, by helping us overcome bad habits and develop Christian qualities, Jehovah prepares us for when we live under his rule. Let's not get discouraged and don't give up. The best is yet to come. A wonderful future awaits us, so let us continue to be willing to wait patiently for Jehovah to fulfill all that he has promised us.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What biblical principles can help us continue to wait patiently?
In Proverbs 13:11 we find a biblical principle: That the wisest thing is to do things patiently, step by step. We find a biblical principle in Proverbs 4:18. These words clearly show us that Jehovah is progressively teaching his people his purpose.
In what two situations do we have to be patient?
When it seems to us that Jehovah does not answer our prayers immediately or If we ask him to give us strength to face a problem or to help us overcome a weakness.
What blessings will those who are willing to wait receive?
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