Patience in Scriptures Produces Hope
by Burl Curtis

    Some things must follow a certain order. Seed must be planted and given time to grow before it produces food. Who would expect to plant today and harvest tomorrow? "See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:7-8 NKJV). Paul sets forth a required order in Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Again in Romans 5:3-5: "[W]e glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed" (KJV).

    The patience of the Scriptures is forever established, more enduring than earth and sky, but there is always a danger some followers of the Lord will not endure the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit through Paul prophesied, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:3).

    The Old Testament scriptures were the things written before from which we are to learn. Noah exercised patience while he preached righteousness and prepared the ark (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5). Abraham endured and finally received Isaac, the son "by promise" (Galatians 4:23). We have heard of the patience of Job and have seen what the Lord did at the end. The Lord was "very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11 nkjv).

    The New Testament scriptures are equally enduring. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by not means pass away" (Mark 13:31). "But the word of the Lord endures forever" (1 Peter 1:25). There is no danger Scripture will not endure. The emphasis should be upon the word in Romans 5:3-5, "patience" (kjv). Will we stay with the Scriptures?

    Surely the Scriptures bring comfort to those who believe and obey. "The Lord is my shepherd – though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" (Psalm 23:1, 4). "I am with you alway, even to the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57). "For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1).

    Anyone who believes and obeys the Scriptures and is steadfast to them, despite opposition, difficulty or adversity, will be rewarded with comfort and will have hope. Hope is one of the abiding three, surpassed only by love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Hopelessness contributes to crime and suicide. So vital is hope to life that many will cling to a false hope when they do not have the truth because life without hope is frightening and crippling.

    When you know you are approved of God and can prove it by the Scriptures, you have comfort and hope. If we give up on the Bible, we forfeit the comfort and hope it brings.

This item originally appeared at Gospel Advocate (April 2002)