In the following scriptures I will be surveying, God displays many of His awesome attributes. A few are His holiness, His love, His mercy, goodness, steadfastness, His truth, graciousness, justice, wisdom, eternity and even His wrath. But this particular survey will be delving in His attribute and ability to be patient. We'll look at this question again at the end, but I'd also like this question to be on the forefront of your mind as you read through the survey: Can you imagine what kind of god that God would be like if He was lacking in patience? What would our lives be like? How would that affect the decisions and choices we make? Should it affect the decisions or choices we make, or simply just the gratitude in we have for His patience?

In Exodus 3:10, Moses is tasked with confronting Pharaoh

"Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."

Yet, in what seemingly sounds like a humble cry to the LORD exclaiming his comprehension of how unworthy he is of such an honorable task, it is just the opposite. He complains. He whines. He makes excuses. At first, verse 11 shows us that he acknowledges how lowly he sees himself:

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"

God, being full of patience, assures Moses. But it's not just that He assures him, it's how He assures him that I found so interesting. He doesn't fly off the handle (like we see SO many other times in scripture, right?), He lovingly encourages him with His presence in verse 12.

And He said, "Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain."

The words God uses are so profound, are they not? "Certainly I will be with you..." As a father, my daughters look to me for reassurance in many things. And where I fail so much of the time is by giving them positive, certain encouragement. I usually find myself saying things like, "Just trust me." or "Just do as I say, okay?" Instead, if I could just be a little more patient with them, show a little more grace and love, perhaps then they may learn a different way to trust in me. Then soon enough I won't have to reassure them. But you see, I try to get them to do something more than they're able at that juncture in their life. They haven't developed the faith yet as I expect them to have.

I want this study God has given me to share with you to be meaningful. I'm breaking it up into smaller bits because I've found longer posts to be daunting for most. This is part one of however many He wants me to have. I hope you gain from them for His sake. Please comment often with encouragment, correction or what have you. God bless.

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