Last night we had 19 students for Adult Bible study. The first question, even before class started was, “is it wrong to pray for patience?” Once everyone was seated, we were asked, “have you seen the revival going on?”
As we always do, that which is on the hearts of our students we add to the lesson material.
Having spent lots of years on submarines, the order, “up periscope” came to mind. The intent of a submarine is to go undetected. So, we passively listen for noise in the ocean that would be another vessel. But, when something on the water is just sitting there, or something is flying in the air, you cannot hear it. If we were to send out an active signal to detect what is there; we would then be detected. So, we rely on visual assessments with the periscope.
We have to come to periscope depth. We have to go to periscope speed. We have to run silent. Then the command is given; “up periscope.” The officer looks in a full 360-degree rotation, including upward. Then he asks for a second check by another officer. Sitting on the water is a vessel called patience, and another other vessel called Asbury University. There are other vessels and planes too. The captain asks, “what can you tell me about the visual contacts?”
Depending on your Bible translation, one of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is a fruit of the Spirit called forbearance or long suffering. The two words mean, “having patience in spite of troubles.” So why would a person think that they should not pray for the fruit of the Spirit?
Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:3-4 Speak of patience because of troubles caused by others which James calls testing. Some would argue that praying for patience is to pray for troubles, especially those caused by others.
Remember that vessel we saw in the periscope? It does not know we are here. It cannot see us. It cannot hear us. We can choose to go away quietly, or we can give them reason to know we are here. The problem with this is that other subs know we are here, other ships know we are here, satellites know we are here, and planes know we are here. The purpose of being undetected is freely given away. Only in the movies is that ever done.
It is God’s will that we seek out the Spiritual fruit of patience. It is not OK to give up your peace by seeking out your adversaries in hopes of getting patience by trial.
Remember that other vessel, called revival? “Describe it to me,” the captain says. It’s big. It’s white. It’s pretty. There are other vessels near it. The captain will ask for specific details, not generalities. The captain will ask, “what do we know about it from other sightings?” “What do we know about its construction?” In other words; details.
So last night we went over the details of this revival. We asked, “what does that mean to you?” The older saints used lofty words. We looked for more specific details.
Then we went into the lesson, and spoke of patience, revival, and toxicity to unity. The excitement is in the air. There is a hunger. There is a desire to learn.