FIRST FRUIT FASTING EXERCISE Jan.22 – Feb 11. 2024 (Day 12)
Theme: JUMPING IN THE JOY OF JUBILEE
Texts: Ps.4:3-8; 32:11; 126:1-6
Sub-Text: Lk. 18:3-8
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We are in a fast moving age and everything seems to be on the fast lane as scientific discoveries and technological advancement are making life easier through development of time saving devices, and workable concepts that easily attend to complex matters of life. This success of the internet age is telling negatively on the church as great Christian virtues like long suffering are going extinct.
Long suffering is integral in the Christian faith, hence the Lord’s tacit observation of the state of the pre-advent period. (Lk. 18:8)
In Hebrews, “longsuffering” is an idiom connoting long venting of air through the nostrils, suggesting slowness to anger.
In Greek, “long suffering” was translated from the word
mak- rothumia (
pronounced mak-roth-oo-mee- oh) which means longanimity (a disposition to bear injuries patiently), objectively forbearance; subjectively fortitude.
It is rendered patience in Heb. 6:12, Jas. 5:10
Literally, it means
long (
GK. Makros)
temper (
GK. Thumos).
The person that possesses long suffering has power to avenge but refrains from doing so. He is long spirited and does not lose heart; perseveres patiently and bravely in enduring trouble and misfortunes. He is patient in bearing the offences and injuries of others; mild and slow in avenging; slow to anger and slow to punish.
Longsuffering is in the nature of God the Father (Lk. 18:8, Rom. 2:4, 9:22, 1 Pt. 3:20, 2 Pt. 3:9, 15) Jesus possessed it (1 Tim. 1:16). And disciples of the Lord Jesus are expected to possess it as Job did (Jas. 5:11, 1:2- 4,12, Col. 3:12, 1:11, Eph. 4:2). Apostle Paul didn’t lack it (2 Tim. 3:10, 2 Cor. 6:6). Even Old Testament characters like David waited for a long time after his anointing, enduring the diabolic machinations of the backslidden Saul without erring, before he ultimately sat on the throne. (1 Sam. 24:4-7, 26:8-11)
The child of God is expected to yield to the Spirit for the development of this quality, as this grace bolsters the quality of the believer. (Jas. 1:24, Rom. 5:3-5; 1 Pt. 4:1-2)
The quality is developed through scriptural response to negative, unsavoury circumstances permitted by the Lord (Rom. 8:28, Job 1:6- 8). It makes for Christian maturity, as babes naturally don’t accommodate inconveniences (1 Pt. 2:2, Heb. 5:8,9, 6:1,10-12). It brings out the beauty of the believer in Christ as a tool of purification.
What is God’s expectation from the believer to accomplish the development/generation of this quality (Phil. 2:13)?
- Always remember that you are a child of God and prisoner of Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:1, Eph. 3:1, Matt. 11:29)
- Bear in mind that whatever God permitted will work for your good (Rom. 8:28)
- Consider that there are people that have gone through such challenges successfully, and that you are not the first (1 Cor. 10:11,13, Heb. 12:1)
- Don’t forget why you are suffering: ie you are a Christian and so it is for Christ’s sake
(Matt. 5:10-12, 10:25-28)
- Explore God’s word unto you and in the scriptures on the issue (2 Tim. 1:13, 1 Tim.
1:18)
- Focus primarily on God for His deliverance, and bear in mind that He could use agents (2 Tim. 2:23-26)
- Garner the testimonies of people on the issue and refresh memory on the past experience (2 Tim. 3:11, 4:16-17)
- Have Jesus as your Model and trust the veracity of His word (2 Tim. 2:3,8, Heb. 12:2-4; 2 Tim. 3:8-9, 4:14)
Those that submit to the divine treatment accorded through long suffering will emerge diadems of God’s kingdom. They constitute the tall and beautiful ones.
