7-31-19 The First 15

The Overview There is no better father than Creator God. He formed us and knows us. He provides for us, loves us unconditionally, and longs for real, life-giving relationship with us. He runs out to meet us in our sin, clothes us with new identity, and restores to us the abundant life he has always planned for us. As we spend time looking at the father heart of God, may a fresh revelation of his love for you guide you into greater depths of relationship with your heavenly Father. The Scripture “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  - 2 Peter 3:9 The Worship Experience Artist: Travis Greene Song: You Waited

The Devotional There is no virtue more calming than patience. A peaceful lifestyle begins with patience. When birthed by a heavenly perspective, patience can transform even the most stressful places of one’s heart into calm streams of joy and abundant life. Our heavenly Father perfectly models a patient heart. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God’s perspective and overwhelming love for us fill his heart with incredible patience. Think for a second about all the atrocities, perversions, sin, and depravity God witnesses on a continual basis. He watches in pain as humanity kills, steals, lies, and cheats. He watches as those he most cares for throw away his perfect plans for cheap imitations that only cause heartache and pain. But God in his patient mercy waits to return and bring about the complete restoration of creation that all might reach repentance. God is patient because he is love. God is not only patient in regard to the second coming of Jesus. He is wholly patient with you in regards to your sanctification and relationship with him and others. He beckons you moment by moment, whispering to your heart about the great plans he has for your life. He waits patiently as he  transforms you into a reflection of Jesus by filling you with his abundant love. He knows your frame. He knows the wounds the world has caused. And he is patient with you. Take time this morning to slow down and take a deep breath. Carve out some space in the busyness of your life and rest in response to God’s patience. God isn’t in a rush with his plans for you. He isn’t in a rush to fix you. He simply longs for you to take some time and be with him. He wants to overwhelm you with his patient love that you might live free from the burdens and cares of this rushed, stressed world. Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” May you encounter the patient, merciful, gracious, peaceful, and loving presence of your heavenly Father as you enter into guided prayer.

The Prayer 1. Meditate on the patient heart of your heavenly Father.Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a revelation of how patient God is with you as you mull over his words. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Isaiah 40:28 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:8 2. Where do you need an increase of patience today? What burden or care doesn’t line up with the heavenly perspective of patience? 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be patient like your heavenly Father. Ask him to give you a heavenly perspective about your life so that you can cast off stress and burden. Pursue patience and passion for all God has given you.

Oftentimes we believe patience and passion can’t be connected. We see examples of those who achieved so much seemingly out of a lack of patience and believe that we need to be as rushed and stressed as they were in order to have a meaningful life. That is not the case with God. God’s timing is perfect. His will can be known. If you will trust the patient heart of your heavenly Father and live as he directs, you will achieve the purpose for which you have been called. Seek the face of your heavenly Father today for wisdom and direction. Pursue passion with patience. And discover the wealth of joy and peace that comes from having patience for yourself and others as your heavenly Father does. Extended Reading: Psalm 103 or watch The Bible Project’s video on Psalms.