How can we apply the patience shown in Judges 3:25 to our lives? Setting the Scene in Judges 3:25 “ And though they waited a long time, Ehud did not come out of the room. So the servants took the key, opened the door, and there lay their master, fallen to the floor, dead!” (Judges 3:25) Seeing Patience in Action • The servants “waited a long time,” showing remarkable restraint in an anxious moment. • Their patience bought Ehud the time he needed to escape, ultimately advancing God’s deliverance of Israel. • In the narrative, patience is not passive; it is purposeful, woven into God’s sovereign plan. Why Patience Matters for Us • God often works through unseen stages (Isaiah 55:8-9). Waiting positions us to witness His timing. • Patience guards us from rash choices that can derail obedience (Proverbs 19:2). • The Fruit of the Spirit lists “patience” right after “peace” (Galatians 5:22-23); a calm heart and patient spirit are inseparable. Practical Ways to Grow This Patience • Remember God’s track record – Rehearse past answers to prayer; they prove He moves on schedule, not ours (Psalm 77:11-12). • Build margin into daily life – Leave early, plan flex time, and resist overscheduling so waiting doesn’t feel like an emergency. • Practice “slow obedience” disciplines – Read Scripture unhurriedly; meditate on a single verse for a whole day (Psalm 1:2). • Guard your words – The servants in Judges 3:25 held their tongues; we can pause before speaking (James 1:19). • Serve while waiting – Patience is active: encourage someone, meet a need, volunteer—redeem the waiting (Galatians 6:9). • Pray for endurance – Ask specifically for a steadfast spirit; God delights to strengthen His children (Colossians 1:11). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). • “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25). • “Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7). • “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). Closing Reflections Waiting rooms—whether hospital corridors, job searches, or unanswered prayers—can feel endless. Judges 3:25 reminds us that patience is not wasted time; it is often the very means God uses to accomplish His purposes. As we wait, we trust, obey, and serve, confident that the same God who delivered Israel is meticulously ordering our moments today. |
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