Patience

I sometimes wonder how the Lord can be so patient with me. I can be so self-centered and selfish at times. I can get so prideful very quick. I can often see those negative characteristics in others, but not so clearly in myself. When I read God’s Word, I’m often convicted of my own crap.

The Lord shows great patience with Balaam. He has to make Balaam’s donkey talk before He notices that God is not pleased with his going to the king of Moab. The king of Moab asked Balaam to curse Israel so that his army could defeat Israel. He gave Moab a heads up – saying that he would only say what the Lord told him to say. Check this out….

¹¹ Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!”

¹² But Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth. (Numbers 23:11-12 NLT)

I feel like Balaam is playing with fire. He probably knows by now that he shouldn’t be here. I think it would be a huge ego boost to be invited to speak with a national leader even if God told you not to.

I want to keep a check in my heart regarding my pride. I believe all sin can be traced back to pride that is deep inside me.  My pride wants others to notice me. My pride wants to please myself instead of the Lord. My pride often coaches me to listen to others instead of listening to the Lord.

The Lord shows great patience to me every day. I will often find a new and creative way to hurt the Lord’s heart and He faithfully forgives me and welcomes me back home. His patience in me should produce great patience in me with others, but that’s not always the case. The Lord is so kind and even tempered when it comes to me. He is steady and faithful with His patience and I’m so very thankful.

I’m trying to be more patient with others because the Lord consistently expresses great patience toward me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne