Patience

To that Israel replied, ‘Listen now descendants of King David. It’s bad enough for you to wear out the patience of people — do you have to wear out God’s patience too? Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and name him “Immanuel”. By the time he is old enough to make his own decisions, people will be drinking milk and eating honey.’ (verses 13-15)

Read Isaiah 7:10-25

What tries your patience? Waiting in queues, being caught in traffic, arguing children? We all know the feeling when one’s patience suddenly snaps — usually with unpleasant results for the person at the other end.

In this passage we read of God’s patience being tried. We hold our breath and wonder at the audacity of those who brought God to breaking point and wait for the punishment that comes next. But instead of punishment there’s a promise. ‘The Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and name him “Immanuel”.’ The reality is that you and I try God’s patience daily, but we live with the knowledge that for us the promise has been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

When I try your patience, God, remember instead your promise of forgiveness through the life and death of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

by Anne Maczkowiack in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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