What does it mean that God is patient?

Answer

The attribute of God’s patience is evident in both the Old and New Testaments. One example comes from God Himself, who proclaimed to Moses, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” «And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, », (Exodus 34:6). The phrase “slow to anger” illustrates His patience. The psalmist also praises God as “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” «But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. », (Psalm 86:15).

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul describes God as kind, forbearing, and patient «Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? », (Romans 2:4). The apostle Peter also referred to God’s patience when addressing objections from scoffers then (extending to now) regarding the second coming: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” «The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. », (2 Peter 3:9)

These are just a few examples of God being described as patient.

When Scripture portrays God as patient, it signifies that He tolerates humanity’s imperfections, does not quickly become angry, and delays judgment to allow for repentance. His patience is also evident in how He chose to work through flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes. Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David, and the prophets serve as illustrations.

Moreover, we witness God’s patience towards humans immediately following the fall, as God provided clothing for His ashamed creations “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”, (Genesis 3:21). He also patiently engaged with Cain, even in the midst of judgment “And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.”, (Genesis 4:15). Then there is the account of the flood. The Scriptures describe the people of that time as “corrupt in God’s sight and full of violence” “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”, (Genesis 6:11). Even considering the moral decay of our era, the violence in that period would shock us. Nevertheless, God did not swiftly bring judgment. Instead, He waited for Noah to construct the ark, a process that took a considerable amount of time “which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”, (1 Peter 3:20).

In God’s judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, His patience was evident when He assured Abraham that He would.Not exercising judgment if there were at least ten righteous people in the city «And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. », (Genesis 18:32). For context, Sodom and Gomorrah had not only sinned, but there was a great outcry against them (verse 20). Yet God was willing to show mercy to all of them for the sake of only ten people.

Other instances of God’s patience include His dealings with the Canaanites «But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. », (Genesis 15:16), the Ninevites in Jonah’s day «And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.», (Jonah 3:10) and the Israelites before their exile (2 Kings 17:13-14). His patience also explains the perceived delay in Jesus’ second coming «The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. », (2 Peter 3:9,15) «And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; », (2 Peter 3:9,15).

Perhaps the most exceptional display of God’s patience is in the Person of Jesus. The Son of God took on human flesh, lived among

Among His creation, He endured challenges in His ministry. He also patiently endured humiliation at the cross to accomplish His redemptive work for humanity.

Like any other attribute of God, His patience surpasses ours. While this is good news for the struggling believer or those reaching out to an unbelieving loved one, it can also lead to frustration. Like the martyred saints in Revelation 6:10, believers may cry out, “How long, Lord?” How long will we remain in this broken world? How long until restoration? How long until we are free from the clutches of sin and suffering? How long must we endure? But even in our perplexed state, we trust that God is absolutely in control and infinitely good.