I’ve been reading and studying the biblical account of Gideon. To be honest, I thought I knew all there was to this story. I’ve shared this story in Sunday School multiple times. I’ve told the story in Vacation Bible School. I’ve even shared the concept of asking God for assurance. But, I have come to realize that I really only knew the large-picture details of this story. There is so much more in this little three-chapter story than I have ever considered.

For instance, think about how patient God was toward Gideon. Patience was shown as the angel of the Lord sat under an oak tree and watched Gideon thresh wheat. Patience can be found as He listened to Gideon’s complaints. Patience was displayed as He waited for Gideon to prepare a sacrifice. Patience was shown when Gideon asked for assurance of victory in battle…not once, but twice with the fleece. Patience was extended when Gideon felt uneasy about his 300 man army.

That is a lot of patience. God’s patience can be seen throughout Scripture and it is extended to us today. Just stop to think where you might be without God’s patience in your life. I know I’ve been stubborn and have turned from God on many occasions. But God has been patient and has wooed me to return to Him. God’s patience and long-suffering are pretty amazing.

I was kind of surprised when I decided to write about God’s patience on a Monday and wasn’t able to find an abundance of songs about this characteristic of God. As a matter of fact, in all of my searching, I only found two that really hit the mark on God’s patience. So I will share both.

The first is a more traditional worship song. The second hip hop/rap. Take your pick. But regardless of your preference, please reflect upon God’s patience.

“Patience”

Your kindness waits with those gentle open arms

I want to be such a joy here in Your eyes

Teach me how I can give up

All of these things I have built up

Chorus:

Thank You for patient love

You’ve waited all these years

I see You more clearly

Than I ever have before

My future rests in Your watchful tenderness

I want to live to make You my one delight

Teach me how I can give up

All of these things I have built up

You give me greater meaning

Than all the things I’ve been dreaming

Bridge:

You won’t let me go

You amaze me everyday[i]

Click here to listen to Lovelite sing of God’s patience.

Now the second song is one that you may or may not listen to, but the lyrics are so good, I had to share. The lyrics are compelling. See if you don’t agree with me.

“Lord of Patience”

Verse 1 :

Heavenly Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus

It’s because of His righteousness that we pray You receive this

Lord, you’re holy, we shouldn’t even be in Your presence

Due to our sin, we don’t deserve the least of Your blessings

But through the cross and believing that Jesus is risen

Even the worst of sinners can be redeemed and forgiven

I’m living proof when I say this and these are truthful statements

You’re beautiful when displaying Your unusual patience

You take the blasphemous- pridefully stuck in our blindness

Instead of smashing us, decided to love us with kindness

Even with unbelievers facing Your terror, You slow up

Like when You waited patiently in the era of Noah

We know that with You, a day is just like a thousand years

So does that mean for every sin, You cry a thousand tears?

Who can record Your graces? Adored through scores of ages

Your reward is the nations, for You are the Lord of patience

Chorus:

Our Sovereign God, You are

The Lord of Patience, yeah

Your wrath, Oh God, we deserve

Christ has taken, yeah

Gracious God, You are

Slow to anger, yeah

You’re Lord of patience and

You love us patiently

Verse 2:

Lord, we worship You, we know that everything we owe You

And when we reflect on the time before we came to know You

How we were unbelievers committing tons of treason

We had a hundred reasons why we wouldn’t come to Jesus

But they were all excuses because our thoughts were useless

That’s what the dark produces, Father, You already knew this

We were foolish and clueless, just as ruthless as Judas

Who knew that You would choose to pursue us and move to woo us

So after waiting with patience as we would run from You

You activated our faith so that we would come to You

Your law exposed our sin so that we would know the danger

And take refuge in the Holy Savior who’s slow to anger

And as our teary eyes beheld the cross of our King

We understood the true meaning of long-suffering

Who can record Your graces? Adored through scores of ages

Your reward is the nations, for You are the Lord of patience

(Chorus)

Verse 3:

And now that we’re in Christ, the thing that is amazing to us

Is that You still continue to display Your patience to us

Through all our stumbles and falls and our idolatry

Through all our grumbling and all of our hypocrisy

Our self-righteousness, with brothers and sisters we’re hostile

Our unforgiveness- all because we’re just missing the gospel

We should be slow to anger, but Your Word- we’re slow to hear it

Oh Father, help us please! We truly need Your Holy Spirit!

He is the only Person who can shape this fruit within us

We praise the risen Savior who is able to present us

Without an ounce of blame, with zero doubt or shame

Lord Jesus, down You came from heaven to announce Your reign

In the hearts of Your people, and now we have the truth

And gladly choose to praise You for all of Your attributes

Who can record Your graces? Adored through scores of ages

Your reward is the nations, for You are the Lord of patience[ii]

(Chorus)

If you want to listen to this song, featuring Melissa T., click here.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] “Patience,” Words and music by Andrew and Jen Polfer, Lovelite Music, 2008.

[ii] “Lord of Patience,” Words and music by Shai Linne, on the album “The Attributes of God.”