Have Patience, Even in Challenge

At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen. Isaiah 60:22b NLT

¹ Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.
² For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

⁵ Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
⁶ He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

⁸ Stop being angry! Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. Psalm 37:1-8 NLT

² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:2-8 NLT

⁷ Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. ⁸ Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 NLT

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9 NLT

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT

This past Sunday was mission Sunday. We had a priest from the Diocese who is originally from Nigeria. He shared with us some facts about the Nigerian church, including active persecution and incredible growth. What struck me, in his talk, is that the persecution of Christians in Nigeria seemed to be a benefit to their faith.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5

In the United States, most people are complacent in their faith, many not regularly active. It is something there, but not necessarily a part of people’s daily lives, something to be called on in time of trouble or celebration. And I thought about my faith, how it has grown in times of challenge. I know the Bible tells us that perseverance develops out of challenge. May we have hope that God uses the challenges we see all around us to develop perseverance and strengthen the daily living faith of people in our nation.

Dear God, thank you for the reminders that you can use challenge for good, to develop our character and grow our faith. Help me to see the good that can come out of challenge and to find comfort in the promises of your presence and guidance, in the good times and the bad. Please with those around me suffering from the impact of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Please be with our country and the leaders of our country, and, if it is your will, please let the remainder of this election season be free from violence. Please be with me and my family and guide us and help us to follow the plan you have for us. Please give me discernment. Please be with my lawyers and give them the wisdom they need; guide their words and my words. Please be with those who hurt me. If it is your will, please bring peace around the globe, and please comfort those who need comfort, including those who remain in captivity and those whose families are broken by terror and war.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. In your name I pray. Amen.

³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶ Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷ We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NLT

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.
² If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
³ Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:1-6

⁹ “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. ¹⁰ And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. ¹¹ And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. ¹² Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:9-13 NLT

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

²⁷ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:26-27 NLT

 ^“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they prosper who love you! Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!” Psalm 122:6

He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Matthew 12:25 NRSVCE

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7