The Patience of God
In chapter 12 of the Attributes of God, A.W Pink focuses on the patience of God. In this chapter, Pink mentions that not much has been written on the patience of God and that is probably because of the difficulty of distinguishing the attribute from the goodness and mercy of God (Pink, 1975). Although there is difficulty in distinguishing these attributes, it is certain from Scripture that they are all different. The patience of God is defined as “that power of control which God exercises over Himself, causing Him to bear with the wicked and forbear so long in punishing them”(Pink, 1975). Some passages that distinguish this attribute is Nahum 1:3 which reads, “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power”. In Psalm 103:8, it states, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Finally, Numbers 14:17 states, “And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’” God is so patient with the world today toward those who trample His laws under foot and despise Him. As Romans 9:22 puts it, God endures with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction to show His wrath and power. We as His people should seek God’s grace to be able to emulate His patience especially with our enemies. He has been patient with the wicked from the beginning of time; we should desire to be patient with them even in our short lifespan.
Pink, A.W. The Attributes of God. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1975.
Serenity & Grace Counseling 