Patience

There is a song that God has used to minister to my soul for the last 6 months. When I listen to this song, it calls to mind Psalms 19:1-6

Psalms 19:1-6 (ESV) “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

Somehow, God continues to speak and uphold the universe by the word of his power. See Hebrews 1:1-3. God created with a word in Genesis 1-2, and it is by his word he upholds all things, and the created order, through being upheld by his word, proclaims something for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. 

Let me be clear right here. This natural word and general revelation are not salvific. It’s enough to hold all of humanity accountable. It won’t save. See Romans 1. But these things do speak. Make no mistake.

For those who have redeemed eyes and ears, we can see and hear and know something in practice that God’s written word affirms as creation proclaims a good word. 

Nature and seasons should remind us that patience and waiting are part of the road of discipleship with Jesus. He does not solve all things for us overnight. He does not make all things well in a few hours. He does wrestle with us all night sometimes, and in his good grace, leaves us with a holy limp (Genesis 32) that remains for a lifetime, and that lifetime limp reminds us of hard and long patience in wrestling with God into maturity in Christ. 

If you are in a season of winter where life and growth seem to be non-existent, go outside and look around. Even the earth and the universe are affirming what the Bible tells us: wait on the Lord. Be patient. Seasons come and go. 

Listen to this song and be encouraged. Hey, for you men, it’s not the most “manly” song you’ll hear today (not Zac Brown or a manly Christian artist), but it sure moves my soul, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. LIsten, and worship the Lord even in the winter while you wait patiently for the Lord’s solutions.