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LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15

The first 14 verses of this Psalm are all about how bad it is. David writes about how wounded (generally) he is, and is petitioning God to spare him.

In the midst of this pain, however, David shows the patience and trust to wait on God.

When times get tough, do you slow down and wait on God? Or do you turn away and try to do it on your own?

Waiting for God is hard — it completely admits our inability to get it done alone, and relinquishes power. Neither of these is natural to us. But we need to trust in God to deliver us. Sometimes that means waiting for him to deliver.

Be God’s — every day.

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14

As we are called to help others, it’s not always going to be fun. The work can be icky, and the receivers of our help may not always be appreciative or cooperative.

When this happens, remember these words to be patient with everyone. Be careful of judging their response — we don’t know what is on their hearts or what else is happening in their lives. Stay true to the call to humbly serve, remaining confident that God is working through you.

Patience is difficult, but certainly something God requires of us. Pray for patience, and be slow to anger and frustration.

Be God’s — every day.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

This came up as a random verse… But is quite appropriate as I make final plans to jump in three vans with 26 teens and adults to head on a week of service!

Today will be a long day… 12 hours total trip time, with all kinds of noises and smells coming from the back of the van. Then it’s followed by a week sleeping on floors, trying to motivate that 16 year old boy you’ve never met to scrape that paint more aggressively. And this is my vacation?

When living with so many others for a week, patience and forgiveness are important. Actually, critical might be a better word than important.

Pray for my sanity. Pray that God’s work be done in Yeadon, PA by YPC’s teens and the other ~400 people we will join. Pray that lives be changed.

Be God’s — every day.

P.S. I should still be able to Devo while away… But should there be a missing day, please forgive me (just as Christ forgave you — we come full circle today!).

A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11

Just yesterday, a colleague of mine was telling a story that included the line “I’m a very patient person, except when someone does something to make me mad.” I didn’t call it out at the time… But I imagine that’s true for everyone: we are patient until we are not.

C.S. Lewis once wrote “Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying us at the moment.” It is EASY to be patient when times are good and things are going our way. The real test is when we are wronged. When that other driver cuts you off, how do you act? When a co-worker steals the credit for your great idea, what do you say? When a family member doesn’t follow through on a commitment, how do you treat them?

Slow to anger. Assuming equality. Loving first, never judging. That’s the measure of a patient person, even in the face of adversity.

Showing such patience likely will bring little glory to you immediately, and may feel like an injustice. But the image you will portray will shine a light of love, which brings glory in the eye of the Father.

Be God’s — every day.