II Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
From Genesis to Revelation, all the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ. If you are in Christ, all the promises of God are yours. All is yours, you can take whatever you want.
God has given all the promises to you. But you know, He can’t take it for you. You have to take it for yourself. This verse reveals God’s mind concerning all His promises. There is no uncertainty, no doubt – all is yours. Every promise that you will find in the Bible has your name on it because you are in Christ. Never for a moment think, does God want me to have this promise? Yes of course, ALL His promises are Yes and Amen in Christ for you.
Hebrews 6:12
This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.
Although every promise is yours, it’s through faith and patience you will see the manifestation of those promises.
Faith and patience brings the promise into manifestation – where you can enjoy it.
Notice, faith alone is not enough. Also patience alone is not enough. It takes both faith and patience to inherit the promise.
Faith takes the promise.
Patience keeps the promise till its manifested.
It’s easy to take the promise but it is work to keep it till it manifests. In this article, I would like to talk about patience. More teachings on faith will be available in the ‘School of Faith’ category.
Without patience, no believer will see the manifestation of a promise. The Lord has made a promise to you. Through faith and patience, you will enjoy the manifestation of that promise. Patience walks and works together with faith.
What is patience?
According to the Bible,
patience is the ability to hold firmly to God’s word (promise) with a joyful and peaceful attitude, irrespective of the length of time it takes for the manifestation and regardless of the trials and persecutions that come along the way, knowing that what God has said, He will surely bring to pass.
Patience is an attitude that refuses to give up or give in till the promise manifests. It’s a waiting on God with a confident and joyful expectation knowing that God will surely fulfill His promise. Every promise that you take, you must firmly hold on to it.
Mark 4:15-17
And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
These verses tells us why many believers don’t see the manifestation of the God given promises. You must hold firmly to God’s promise and His word to you.
Every time the sower sows the word, Satan comes immediately to steal it away. Satan’s target is to steal God’s word from your mouth and your spirit, if you allow it. Therefore, you must keep the word in your spirit and in your mouth and with patience bear fruit.
The above verses tell us, persecution arises because of the word. Always remember, whenever you receive a promise or word from God, persecution will follow.
II Timothy 3:12
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
This tells us why patience is important. As long as you are in the world, remember, godly life and persecution are inseparable. Persecution refers to pressure – pressure to quit and give up. Every genuine believer faces persecution in different measures and ways depending on where the Lord has placed them geographically. No believer can escape persecution. It’s impossible. You know why? Because :
- Satan is the god of this world (systems).
- Not all people have faith.
- Some believers are carnal or worldly (babes)
Persecution or pressure comes because of the Word.
Many have given up on the promises and word of God because they don’t want to be persecuted. When pressure comes, they are quick to vomit the word.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, 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.
Your faith will be tested to ascertain whether it’s genuine or not. Once you believe and receive Gods word – His promise to you, there will arise persecution, trials and pressure for the Word’s sake. Genuine faith keeps the word and holds firmly to it in the midst of trials and persecutions.
Many are surprised when pressure comes, but James tells us to count it all joy when trials and pressures come. Trials work out patience.
Romans 5:3-4
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience; and patience, character; and character, hope.
Knowing what tribulation does will cause you to face it in a joyful way. Tribulation develops patience and patience develops proven and mature character and character in turn develops hope – joyful and confident expectation of salvation. Hallelujah. No wonder James says, consider it a joy when you face tribulations.
Patience in you!
Patience is in you because it’s a fruit of the born again spirit (Galatians 5.22,23). The day you got born again, you have God’s patience in you. Don’t pray for it. Don’t ask God for it. You have it. Acknowledge it.
In the midst of trials, when you make a firm decision to hold on to God’s word and stay put on God’s promise, you develop and work out patience. The force of patience is developed in trials, tribulations and persecutions.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, 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.
Let patience have its perfect work. How?
No matter how long it takes, don’t quit on God. Don’t get distracted. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t lose heart. Don’t become lazy. Don’t give up. Come hell or high water. Hold on to God’s word – keep believing, keep speaking, keep rejoicing and keep praising. Stay put on the promise of God. No matter what you are facing or going through, no matter what people think and say about you, keep God’s word in your spirit and in your mouth. Keep pressing in and keep pressing on. Don’t allow anyone, anything or any circumstance to stop your believing, confessing and praising of God’s Word.
As you are waiting for the fulfillment of the promise, develop a strong fellowship with the One who gave you the promise, for in His presence there is fullness of joy. As you have a deep intimacy with the Holy Spirit, you will be supernaturally enabled to endure every trial and pressure that comes across your path.
When you refuse to quit, you will let patience have its perfect work and you will be spiritually mature, you will see the manifestation of the promises of God and you will lack nothing.
Luke 8:15
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Make a quality decision not only to take but also to keep God’s word in you. As you do, the word will become firm in you and you will be firm in God’s word. Faith takes it. Patience keeps it.
Without seed, you can’t be fruitful.
Without the word, you can’t be fruitful.
Faith and patience will destroy barrenness from your life and make you exceedingly fruitful.
Hebrews 6:12
This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.
The above verse tells us, we are to follow and imitate those who through faith and patience have inherited the promise. We know about Abraham, the Father of faith. He received Isaac when He was hundred years old. At the age of seventy five, the Lord appeared to Him and said that He would be the father of many nations. Abraham believed it, He took it. But, the manifestation didn’t happen the next day. You believe the promise and then you keep the promise irrespective of how long it takes or what adversity, trial or persecution you face, till the promise manifests.
In the face of major contradictions (dead body and dead womb), Abraham chose to keep God’s promise in his spirit and his mouth. He didn’t hinder the work of patience. His character was developed and Isaac manifested. Next time, when the Lord asked him to sacrifice his son, without a moment’s hesitation he was ready for the task knowing that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead. This is joyful and confident expectation of salvation arising out of a proven and mature character.
Another example is our Lord Jesus. – the epitome of patience. Jesus, in his earthly ministry would often say that He would rise again on the third day. Jesus knew the Father would raise him from the dead. In fulfilling God’s will, when He was on the cross facing severe punishment, He held on to God’s promise of the resurrection. When He was in hell, He held on to God’s promise. No matter what He faced, no matter how tough the circumstances were, no matter how people treated him, He refused to give up on God’s promise. He kept believing. He kept speaking. He kept rejoicing and on the third day, God raised Him from the dead. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God.
Believe His Word and keep it in your mouth and in your spirit irrespective of the challenges and persecutions you face; do it with a joyful and peaceful attitude knowing it develops a proven and a mature character and brings you to place where you lack nothing.
Don’t give up on God. Hold on to His promise. Hold on to the Lord for He is faithful. What He has promised, He will surely fulfill. You will see it. Yes, you will surely see it for it is the word of the Living Almighty God.
God bless you!
Your Victorious Life 