As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” (Emphasis added.).
First, we are reminded that “the coming of the Lord is near”.
My youngest son is now in college, but I can remember so well when I would drop him off at day care. He would always ask me so cheerfully: “Dad, are you going to pick me up at the end of the day?” I would smile, almost laughing, and reply: “Yes, son, I am going to pick you up at the end of the day.” He would then cheerfully exit the car and run off to his play group.
I just loved his cheerful, patient attitude. He trusted his father, and no matter what would happen during the day, he knew his father would pick him up at the end of the day.
This Scripture and this example teach us to likewise be cheerful and patient. No matter what happens to us during the day, our Faithful Father will pick us up at the end of the day.
Second, we are also reminded of “the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, the Lord is full of compassion and merciful”.
The outcome of the Lord’s dealings with Job are detailed in Job 42:10-16. In summary, the LORD “increased all that Job had twofold.”, “The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning”, “He had seven sons and three daughters.”, and “After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.”
But, the Lord’s compassion and mercy is not limited to the outcome. Even in the midst of our trials and afflictions, the Lord shows us continual compassion and mercy to preserve us through each day.
“You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
For evils beyond number have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see;
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head,
And my heart has failed me.” Psalm 40:11-12.
As an example, when I was suffering with walking pneumonia last month, I could not even lie down to sleep, but the Lord showed me how to prop myself up with pillows so that I could sit up in comfort but yet lean against them and fall asleep. I was so thankful for this tender mercy. We need to consider and remember these tender mercies that help us, even in the midst of our sufferings, to get through each day.
But, this Scripture also clearly reminds us that even beyond our sicknesses and what we may consider “unfair” afflictions and persecutions, even in the midst of our own sins, God has compassion on us, shows us lovingkindness, and leads us back to truth, all of which continually preserve us.
In conclusion, we can be patient, because the coming of the Lord is near and the Lord is full of compassion and merciful. Thank you.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 