Patience is a fruit of the Spirit
In the list of fruits of the spirit, the fourth fruit is patience. We don't have it innately and that's why we have to strive for it. That is why Adonai leads us to situations where we can learn patience and get it more. The Greek word 'makrothymia' used in the verse means: 'long-suffering' and 'patience'.
Long-suffering is the primary attribute of the word 'love' (1 Cor. 13:4) and love is mentioned as the first fruit of the Spirit, so I don't use word 'long-suffering'. English Bible translations generally use the word 'patience'.
In the life of those who believe in Adonai Yeshua, the same phenomenon occurs as in a wheat field: the grain grows and ripens until it is ripe for cutting. Ripening happens gradually. Similarly, as a fruit of the Spirit, patience grows in us over the years. It appears, for example, when waiting for the bus to arrive. As children, we were impatient if the bus was a little late. As adults, we don't get depressed, even if the bus doesn't come at all!
A special memory
I worked as a volunteer at Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim in the spring winter of January and February in 1977. I was informed quite late about the return flight and I only had 4 hours to say goodbye to my colleagues, eat dinner, hand over my stuff, pack my things and leave for Jerusalem, from where there was a bus departure at 8pm for Lydda Airport in Jerusalem.
My best friends came to escort me to the kibbutz bus stop. The bus was supposed to come at 6pm, but it never did, which is not uncommon in Israel. When it was already 7.30 pm, one clever Christian sister said: "Now, Lefa, you have a great opportunity to act like Abraham our father of faith. Look at the clear starry sky and in faith pick one star of promise from there."
I replied, "Thanks for the advice, I'll do that." I chose a bright star saying, "May that star be a promise from Adonai to me tonight. Thank you Adonai !" Having said that, we saw someone driving his car at a high speed, zig-zagging down from the direction of the Kibbutz Hotel. The mountainside was so steep that the road had to wind back and forth.
I hitchhiked and the car stopped. It was a black taxi driven by an Arab born in Bethlehem. A young Swedish couple came along from the same bus stop and when we talked in English about faith in Adonai Yeshua, the Arab was happy and said that since we are Christians like him, he will take us to Jerusalem for half price.
I didn't even have money for the normal taxi fare: 22 shekels, but exactly what my share of the trip cost: 11 shekels! There were only 30 agoras left in coins. I made it to Jerusalem on time in front of the luxury hotel Eyal at 7.55pm. I still remember how the Finnish tour guide there said: "Oh! You made it at the very last minute." From there I traveled by bus on time to Lydda Airport, Tel Aviv. The bus fee was included in the plane ticket.
Patiently waiting for Adonai Yeshua
Let us be faithful and patient as we await the second coming of our Savior Adonai Yeshua! The apostle Paul also urged us to do this: Titus 2:11-14
" 11 For the grace of Elohim has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great Elohim and Savior, Yeshua HaMashiach.
14 He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good."
Songs suitable for the topic
I Will Wait
You Are My Hiding Place
The Lord Is My Light
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