Patience of the Saints | Part C

The King James Version (KJV) is mostly used in these lessons. Click here to access the KJV online.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of Yahuwah, ye might receive the promise.  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.  (Hebrews 10:35-39)

All who develop patience through faith in Yahuwah shall be heirs of Yahuwah and joint heirs with Yahushua.  But those who do not develop patience will be lost. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his Eloah, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.  (Revelation 21:7 and 8.)

This is a long, very comprehensive list of who are lost!  It is no surprise that sorcerers, idolaters, liars, whoremongers and murderers should be lost.  But the fearful?  Why should a person be lost just because he is afraid?

The answer is simple: the “fearful” are lost because they are “unbelieving.”  Faith is simply taking Yahuwah at His word because of who and what He is (all-Love and all-Powerful), and needing no other evidence.  Therefore, lack of faith in His promises is, in essence, calling Him a liar.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Yahuwah must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  (Hebrews 11:1 and 6.)

This very vital yet personal experience was well summed up in the words of one gospel song:

Faith is the essence of things unseen;
The substance of things hoped for.
Yahuwah’s Word has said it and I believe it
For the miracle has happened to me.
Yahuwah said it!  And I believe it!
And that settles it for me . . .
Though some may doubt that His word is true
I’ve chosen to believe it, now how about you?
Yahuwah said it!  And I believe it!
And that settles it for me.

If you do not have faith in Yahuwah to keep His promises, you will not have the patience to wait for Him to act on your behalf.  You will not trust that He will send Yahushua to deliver all who trustingly wait for His return.  Instead, you will fear.  The Gospel of Matthew records the sad words spoken to all whom, through lack of faith, have failed to develop Biblical patience:

Not everyone that saith unto me, Master, Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (See Matthew 7:21-23.)

But that does not have to be the fate of any! “The Master is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9)  If you lack knowledge, if you lack faith, if you lack patience – ask Yahuwah for it!  He will withhold no good thing from His children.

Because faith is not based upon feelings, make the simple choice today to trust in Him regardless of your feelings!  Make it a habit to wait, trustingly, patiently upon Yahuwah. 

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Yahuwah, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  (James 1:2-6)

Make it a daily habit to rest in Yahuwah.  Claim His promise, trust in His word.  You, too, may have the patience of the saints and “inherit all things” with Yahushua our Saviour.