The Long Patience of God

The Lord is patient. He is not in a hurry, not quick to anger, not eager to punish. Instead, He is "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6). It is a patience that stretches across generations, a patience that encompasses the whole of human history, and a patience that reaches into the depths of our own weary hearts.

Imagine Moses standing alone on Mount Sinai, the weight of two stone tablets in his hands, the air thick with the presence of the Almighty. The Lord descends in a cloud, standing with Moses, proclaiming His own name: "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6). This is not merely a list of attributes but a revelation of the very character of God, a declaration that echoes throughout the Scriptures.

In the Psalms, we find a similar refrain: "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalms 86:15). These words remind us that God's patience is not passive; it is active, intertwined with His compassion and mercy. He is not indifferent to our struggles or our sins; rather, He is deeply involved, working all things for our good.

The Hebrew word for "longsuffering" here is 'ârêk ^H750, which conveys the idea of being slow to anger, patient, and enduring. It is a patience that bears with us, that waits for us to turn back to Him, that holds back judgment in favor of mercy. This is the patience that Jonah recognized, albeit reluctantly, when he declared, "for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness" (Jonah 4:2).

Yet, in His patience, God does not ignore sin. He is "forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty" (Exodus 34:7). Here lies a tension that might seem irreconcilable: how can God be both forgiving and just? The answer lies in His nature, in His ability to hold mercy and justice together in perfect harmony.

This is the God who "visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation" (Exodus 34:7). It is a sober reminder that sin has consequences, that our actions ripple through time, affecting those who come after us. Yet even here, God's justice is tempered by His mercy, for He "keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments" (Nehemiah 1:5).

Think of the Israelites, a "stiffnecked people," as Moses described them (Exodus 34:9). They were rebellious, forgetful, often turning away from God to idols. And yet, God remained faithful to them, patient with their failings, persistent in His love. As we explored in "The Patience of God and His Promise," His promises are not thwarted by our unfaithfulness; His patience endures beyond our understanding.

But what of us, today? Do we not also test the patience of God with our doubts and fears, our repeated sins and failures? And yet, the Lord's patience remains, a constant invitation to return to Him, to find rest in His enduring mercy. "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).

To the doubter at the back of the room, to the one who questions whether God could still be patient with them, hear this: God's patience is not exhausted by your questions or your struggles. His love is as vast as the heavens, His truth a shield and buckler (Psalms 91:4).

As we stand at the foot of our own mountains, burdened by our own tablets of stone, let us not forget the image of Moses, face shining with the glory of God, descending from Sinai. Let us remember that God's patience is not merely an abstract concept but a living reality, a presence that walks with us, guides us, and holds us through every trial.

And so, we return to the scene we began with, the stillness of Mount Sinai, the quiet proclamation of God's name. It is here, in the shadow of His presence, that we find hope. For His mercy is "great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds" (Psalms 57:10). It is here, in the light of His patience, that we see the dawn of His enduring love.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your patience with us, a patience that is boundless and enduring. Forgive us for our sins and guide us back to Your presence. May we find comfort in Your mercy and strength in Your truth. In Jesus' name, amen.