I’m good at waiting patiently. Everyone who knows me always comments on how at ease I am.
I bet you are patient too!?
Daniel, the great saint from lion’s den fame, writes about his dreams and visions in the Book of Daniel. His last vision amazes me:
Those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
I want to know what this dream is about, so I appreciate Daniel asking, “My Lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Daniel was then quickly told, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end of time.”
I am sure Daniel acted just like I would – very, very patiently! In heaven, I’m going to find Daniel so that we can share our patience testimonies.
Patience is my specialty.
I’m sure my parents, Clint and Thelma, have already talked to Daniel in heaven, telling him how my patience started when I was a young lad. Every year, I would find my Christmas presents hidden somewhere in the house and sneak a glance.
My parents solved this problem one Christmas.
After hiding my presents for weeks in the house of a friend, they put all my sister’s presents under the tree and hid mine in a closet. My sister and I came downstairs to find many presents – all with her name on the tags!
I sat patiently observing my sister opening her presents!!??? I think I opened my Bible to memorize Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”
Daniel and Pastor Grant!
God progressively gave revelation about the birth of Jesus. Through a few thousand years of history and 39 books of the Old Testament, prophets, kings, priests, and the tribes of Israel heard about a future Messiah.
The author of Hebrews describes the Old Testament saints:
Who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:33-35
D0 you know what happened?
And all of these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us! Hebrews 11:39
Daniel, heroes of faith from the Old Testament, and Pastor Grant. How about you?
By faith in 2020, still enduring COVID, unable to attend church together, having experienced the passing of loved ones, others with sickness, job loss, lost vacations, and troubles never endured before, Jesus says to us, “Be patient!”
On the first Christmas morning, angels announced, “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord!”
Honing my patience, I review 2 Peter 3:8 regularly:
But do not forget one fact. With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but has been patient for all of history, delaying His final return so that Pastor Grant and all of you may be saved. (OGV or Old Guy Version)
Okay, I admit, I’m not patient. I still try to find the gifts my wife has purchased me. But I know 2020 has been a part of God’s “patience plan for all to be saved!”
Let’s be patient in 2021! Praying like Daniel, sacrificing like Abraham, healing like Jesus, preaching like Peter, so all needing to be saved will get saved in 2021! As a result of our efforts, Jesus can then return on December 25, 2021. Patience done, accomplished, over with, and not needed anymore. Amen!
I confess, I have looked around the Bible, searching for the date of the second coming – it may not be December 25, 2021 – but it will be soon!
This is not Pastor Grant being impatient. It is 600 prophecies throughout the Bible predicting the second advent of Jesus.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
How about the following promise in Ezekiel?
“I, the Lord, will speak, whatever word I speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed… None of my words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word that I speak will be performed,” declares the Lord. Ezekiel 12:23-28
That prophecy wasn’t fulfilled in Ezekiel’s lifetime. He lived his last days as a captive in Babylon. Again, just like me, I am sure Ezekiel was very patient about his vision.
God gave both Daniel and Ezekiel – heroes of the faith – visions, dreams, and prophecies and then they had to wait. When I talk to them in heaven, I will share how patient I was in Springfield, Ohio.
They will be impressed as patience is my specialty. How about you?