How can we apply the patience seen in Genesis 11:21 to our lives? Setting the scene “After he became the father of Serug, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 11:21) Seeing patience in the text - Reu’s life spanned centuries. Each year testified to steady endurance while God unfolded His purposes generation by generation. - He served as a living link between the Flood and the calling of Abram, holding the line of promise without rushing God’s timing. - The verse’s quiet simplicity—“lived…had other sons and daughters”—shows faithfulness in ordinary routines, not headline-grabbing events. Lessons for today - Long obedience is more valuable than quick results; patience keeps us on course when answers feel delayed. - God’s timetable often stretches beyond a single lifetime. Trusting Him means working faithfully now, even if fulfillment comes later. - Everyday responsibilities—family, work, church—are arenas where patience shines just as brightly as in crises. Practical ways to cultivate patience • Start the day acknowledging God’s sovereignty over time; surrender schedules to Him. • Break large goals into faith-filled, manageable steps; celebrate progress rather than fretting over the finish line. • Practice silence when tempted to complain; use that moment to recall Galatians 5:22, “the fruit of the Spirit is…patience.” • Spend time with older believers whose stories mirror Reu’s steady endurance; learn from their perspective. • Keep a journal of answered prayers—large or small—to remind yourself that God always moves, just often more slowly than we expect. Encouragement from the rest of Scripture - James 5:7-8: “Be patient therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming…strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.” - Psalm 37:7: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” - Hebrews 6:12: “…imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” - Lamentations 3:25-26: “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him…It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” - 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise…He is patient with you.” Closing thoughts Reu’s 207 post-Serug years invite us to view life through the wide-angle lens of God’s eternal plan. Patience is not passive; it is active trust that keeps planting, building, serving, and loving while God writes the next chapters. |
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