Longsuffering / Our Great Wonderful God

#769 – April 22, 2012

Longsuffering: The Scriptures show us that God’s longsuffering has endured patiently over time, bearing long with mankind through the irreverent, disobedient, and unthankful attitudes towards Him. Though man deserved His wrath, our merciful God suffered long, and waited, fulfilling His promise to redeem man. God’s will was that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance, believing unto life everlasting. In His great love and mercy, He sent the Savior. He did this in order to make known the riches of His glory and His mercy upon all. Now all who have believed regarding Jesus Christ have become sons of God, have His nature—holy spirit–and have the ability to imitate Him. The Epistle of Ephesians to the church beseeches us to walk “with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” When we walk in the spirit, and produce the fruit of the spirit, which includes longsuffering, the church can also demonstrate God’s longsuffering. As we needed, and still need, God’s longsuffering, someone needs ours: that by it, others might come to believe unto salvation, become fruitful. This is doing something eternal, and a church that brings glory to God. [Sherry Papworth]

Our Great Wonderful God: God is the center of all creation. Nothing would be were it not for Him. All creation is to praise God. The natural realm proclaims God’s power, magnificence, wisdom, majesty, perfection, goodness and love. All of creation, including every man, owes its being to God. In all spheres of creation, God went over and above. Plants, sea animals, land animals, birds, the heavens, the angels. God made everything in abundance, in the superlative, innumerable. God did all these things by his own decision. He didn’t need anyone’s input. His written Word says He did whatsoever He pleased. He didn’t need anything, but He made man. He wanted us. He is a God of love and goodness. He causes everything to flourish, grow, bear fruit and multiply. God dwells with the humble, those who reverence Him and tremble at His Word. God’s desire now is that we be filled with all His fullness. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. [Bill Papworth]

Verses referenced:

Ezekiel 17:3
Exodus 34:6
Exodus 34:7
1 Peter 3:20
Genesis 6:5
Genesis 6:12
Romans 9:22
Romans 9:23
Romans 9:24
Romans 2:4
2 Peter 3:9
2 Peter 3:15
1 Timothy 2:4
1 Timothy 1:12
1 Timothy 1:13
1 Timothy 1:14
1 Timothy 1:15
1 Timothy 1:16
Ephesians 4:2
Ephesians 4:3
Colossians 1:10
Colossians 1:11
Colossians 1:12
Galatians 5:22
Galatians 5:23
Psalms 148:1
Psalms 148:2
Psalms 148:3
Psalms 148:4
Psalms 148:5
Psalms 148:6
Psalms 148:7
Psalms 148:8
Psalms 148:9
Psalms 148:10
Psalms 148:11
Psalms 148:12
Psalms 148:13
Psalms 148:14
John 1:3
Psalms 104:24
Psalms 104:25
Genesis 1:24
Genesis 1:25
Genesis 1:26
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 1:28
Psalms 147:4
Psalms 147:5
Hebrews 1:10
Hebrews 1:11
Hebrews 1:12
Revelation 5:11
Psalms 107:8
Psalms 107:9
Psalms 107:14
Psalms 107:15
Psalms 107:20
Psalms 107:21
Jeremiah 9:23
Jeremiah 9:24
Isaiah 66:1
Isaiah 66:2
Ephesians 3:14
Ephesians 3:15
Ephesians 3:16
Ephesians 3:17
Ephesians 3:18
Ephesians 3:19
Ephesians 3:20
Ephesians 3:21