By: Elder Bill McCarthy
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
To be perfect, in the Biblical sense, is to be mature, complete, of full age. God purposes each of us to be whole, lacking nothing, as David wrote: “I shall not want [lack].”
“He is not rich who has the most, but he who needs the least.” I don’t know who is credited with this saying, but I do know that it is a restatement of Biblical teachings. God promises His children abundance, but He teaches them to seek Him above all material things. Philippians 4:11-19
To the church at Colosse, Paul wrote, “If ye then be [since you are] risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2. Paul wrote that we should “grow up into him [Christ] in all things,” and Peter penned that we should grow in grace. Ephesians 4:15; 2 Peter 3:18. Further, Paul emphasized and deplored the immaturity of the church members at Corinth, telling them that they should not remain babes, meaning that they were too focused on material things. 1 Corinthinans 3:1-3.
The message of the Scriptures is clear: God desires that we lack nothing, that we mature in grace and that we be satisfied with His bounty. The question then arises, how to become more patient in today’s busy, materialistic social order?
Well, we won’t get more patience by means of simply praying, “Lord give me patience, right now!” As humorous as that may first seem, many of God’s children seem to have that mindset, being conditioned by a world that has shrunk. Satellite television and the Internet link the world, providing breaking news from distant cities and neighborhoods as events are occurring. Travel across this vast nation by plane takes but a few hours. We have drive-in restaurants, banks, movies, drugstores, and yes, even drive-in churches. In short, we want what we want when we want it, so we expect to microwave everything, even prayers.
So, if God says we should have patience, let’s hurry to get on our knees, pray for patience quickly and hurry on as we have other things to do.
Neither wines nor prayers are made instantly, as both require care and time. God’s word instructs that patience is a habit that adds to spiritual character. “O man of God, flee these things [covetousness], and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11.
If prayer alone does not bring patience, how are patience and contentment acquired? How is any skill developed? Through practice of the principles that lead to success. A doctor practices medicine, a lawyer practices law, a child of God practices godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7-8.
The skill of patience and contentment are acquired from properly dealing with, and surviving, tribulations. Paul wrote, “tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope …” (note the sequence and order – if we endure tribulation with patience, we will in time experience the Lord’s deliverance, fueling our hope that the Lord will deliver us from all tribulations!). Romans 5:3-4.
James tells us that we should look upon our trials with joy. James 1:2. Peter wrote of patience being foundational to godliness. 2 Peter 1:5-7. And Paul wrote, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 1:6.
It may reap a scowl, but many a pastor, looking out over the Lord’s flock and bemoaning the number of aged babies in attendance, has wanted to shout, “Grow UP!” Some folks are preached to all their lives only to resist growing in grace. Problems come to all, but somehow only those who view their problems as opportunities to rely upon the Lord’s solutions and deliverance grow in trust, and thereby become what God’s will is for them. While hard times are painful and not to be regarded lightly, parents know that without them children do not mature properly.
I was once invited by a friend to attend a prayer breakfast of a group of Christian businessmen. Though I did not share their stated goal of saving souls for eternity, I enjoyed the fellowship. Following a good breakfast, the moderator asked that we gather together in smaller groups at separate tables, whereupon each was given several cards. Each card had the name of a person along with a description of the problems that person was incurring. In turn, each of the businessmen at my table read the cards he had been handed and prayed that the persons’ problems and circumstances be lifted and that they would accept Christ as their savior.
I knew none of the persons listed on the cards handed me, and when it came my turn, instead of reading my cards, I prayed before those at my table, “O God, I don’t know any of the people named on these cards, but I know that you know everything about them, including the problems they are facing. If it can be thy will, please lift their burdening problems and circumstances. But, O God, if their burdens are of your chastening hand, that they are being brought closer to you through the tribulations facing them, then O God, I pray that you continue and increase their afflictions until they bow before you, acknowledging you as God of all, so your blessings may flow upon them. I pray that your sovereign will be done in their lives and in the lives of those of us who are gathered here this morning to pray and fellowship in your name.”
The men sitting around my table first seemed somewhat taken back by my prayer, and some said that they had not thought about prayer like that before. But, to a man, one by one each expressed agreement with my prayer, and others followed in like manner, asking that God work in the lives of the people according to His will.
My prayer was not said in a callous, uncaring way. I truly believe that my prayer on that occasion, for persons I knew nothing about, was appropriate. I acknowledged that God knew everything that was happening to them, and I acknowledged that the chastisement of the Lord may have been at work in their lives. Hebrews 12:6-8 teaches that the Lord chastises [disciplines] everyone he loves, and that if we endure the chastisement of the Lord, he will deal with us as a parent with a child.
The Bible tells us to expect trials and tribulations, and it tells us that we shall prevail to our betterment if we faithfully seek the Lord’s will in dealing with them. We all can give examples of people whom we have watched endure life’s difficulties only to become sweeter, kinder souls. We would hope that every child of grace will be strengthened to endure hard times, to grow to embrace the wonderment of maturity in Christ.
In closing, I am reminded of the gentleman who joyfully told me he had read the end of the book [the Bible] and “we win!” May we join Paul in saying, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:12-13. □
Published: 2011-08-07 by BDM