Hope by its very nature breeds patience.
The more we hope -- the more patient we either are or at least have cause to be -- in that regard.
Hope is imbued with that same confidence which characterizes faith (cf. Hebrews 11: 1) as faith
is contrasted with sight (2 Corinthians 5: 7). "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
So hope and faith are not dimmed although its object is not present to sense or attained by
inexperience -- it is "with patience we wait for it."
Now, let's apply this text to ourselves that it may rebuke us of our times of impatience... in
trials... in doubts. In these times we are ready to complain and murmur even against God Himself.
We tend to complain when:
In case of wants -- others having when we don't.
In case of distress, trouble, affliction, and delays.
It doesn't take much to spot our own times of impatience.
Impatience never helps.
It only increases our misery and adds to the affliction which is upon us.
Impatience is revealed when we attempt to claim for the present what is reserved for us in
eternity.
Expectancy and hope cannot cross the bounds of history.
We must wait for the "adoption" to be ultimately realized.
We must wait for the redemption of the body.
As long as hope prevails, the battle is being won.
In verse 23 believers are said to be waiting for the adoption, and here in verse 25 we are
induced to wait -- to wait patiently. It is our hope supported by patience.
Patiently bearing our burdens, and waiting for heaven -- knowing that it is reserved for us.
We have been sealed by His Spirit.
His precious Spirit has given us an earnest of our inheritance and His resurrection guarantees it.
So, we can be more patient than others who wait.
To wait is the most profound truth of our normal, everyday life and work. Every farmer, every
mother, every father, and every boy and world knows the necessity of waiting...
We must wait because there is something beyond the good and evil of this life, something
beyond joy and sorrow, beyond life and death. In everything -- every segment of our world and
our life -- we wait in happiness and disappointments, in growth and decay.
We must wait because we are expecting something better -- so much better -- beyond.
Spiritually, we see what to our sight is invisible, and therefore we wait.
So, we wait -- but not as animals for execution, but as a bride waiting for the wedding.
The joy is sure to come.
So, let us not gripe and complain as though God's purpose has been hindered -- that will never
happen.
Paul pushes the word, "wait," into our thoughts and allows it to speak to us with quiet finality.
There is no apathy in this waiting spirit.
It is not the kind of a cowardly manner that requires itself to the burdens of the moment.
It is a patience that looks back to the trials of the present time and forward to "the glory which
shall be revealed." (8: 18)
It is the great virtue of God-given endurance and fortitude which helps men to endure trial and
darkness, knowing that: "Joy, cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30: 5)
It speaks assuredly of a strong and active desire which looks forward with eager expectation to
the promised event. Therefore, hope and patience unite to make men wait for the glory which is
yet unseen, but which is as sure as the dawn.
"My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning." (Psalm 130: 6)
Have you ever watched for the morning?
This was beautifully illustrated in the life of Dr. Horatius Bonar, the great Scottish preacher and
poet, whose whole ministry had been warmed and inspired by the promise of the coming of Jesus.
During a long illness, and right before he died, his eyes constantly rested on the text which hung
on the wall at the foot of his bed:
"Until the day break, and the shadows flee away." (Song of Solomon 2: 17; 4: 6)
One day -- that great day -- will break for each of us and then the shadows will flee away.
Jesus is "the dayspring from on high." (Luke 1: 78)
Jesus is "the bright and morning star." (Revelation 22: 16)
Therefore, hope stands on tiptoe, waiting "until the day dawn and the day-star arise." (2 Peter
1: 19)
"The heavens shall glow with splendor,
But brighter far than they
The saints shall shine in glory
As Christ shall them array;
The beauty of the Saviour
Shall dazzle every eye,
In the crowning day
That's coming by and by.
Oh, the crowning day is coming,
Is coming by and by,
When our Lord shall come in power,
And glory from on high.
Oh, the glorious sight will gladden
Each waiting, watchful eye,
In the crowning day that's coming
By and by."
"One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glories will shine...
One day He's coming -- O glorious day!"
Sermon by Dr. Harold L. White
Email Dr. White at hleewhite@AOL.com