Every time, and I do mean EVERY time, I see that patience pays. Patience is, in fact, the path to success.
I doubt if many of the readers of this devotion have heard of Ben Feldman (1912-1993). I cam across his story this week and I was amazed to find that Mr. Feldman was the greatest life insurance salesman ever. It is estimated that he sold policies with a face value of $1.5 billion in his lifetime.
The key to Ben Feldman’s success was not his presentation skills, he spoke with a lisp and was described as shy. It wasn’t his good looks, he was short and pudgy. He was not flamboyant. What set Ben Feldman apart was his patience; he had exceptional patience. Patience was Ben Feldman’s key to success.
Patience is more than the key to success in sales, it is key to our relationship with God. This coming Sunday, we will be looking at James 5:7-10. In those four verses, James uses the word patience three times and he uses two examples of patience to make his point.
As I have considered that text and prayed about those who will hear the sermon on Sunday, I am struck by the reality that being told to be patient doesn’t make one more patient. Exhortations to be patient don’t often have the desired effect.
Here is what I think is more helpful: consider how patient God is with you. God in Christ does not treat you as your behavior deserves, instead He showers you with His grace and forgiveness. Even though those blessings don’t have an instant effect, God continues to pour them into your life.
The theme of the James 5:7-10 is for us to “be patient until the Lord comes again” (verse 7). I need to always remember how much patience it takes for God to wait for Jesus to return. He has not swooped down in judgment to end the world because he loves His creation.
Patience will probably pay off for me on those occasions when I can show some. The real pay off of patience is that God, in His mercy, is patient with me.
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