December 18, 2025

THE FORBEARANCE AND PATIENCE OF GOD

Apst. Emmanuel Osezele

KEY TEXT: Romans 2:4 KJV: “Or despisest thou the riches of the goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

UNDERSTANDING GOD’S NATURE: Many passages in the Word of God reveal both the patience and forbearance of God toward sinful humanity. This devotion serves as a reminder that while God is patient and longsuffering, there is also a limit to how long God tolerates sin. The mercy of God is not weakness, and the delay in judgment is not approval. Therefore, do not live in such a way that God must constantly restrain judgment toward you. Romans 2:4

THE FORBEARANCE OF GOD: Sometimes we see unbelievers openly mocking, cursing, and blaspheming the name of God, or even persecuting God’s servants. Yet, God withholds immediate judgment out of mercy and patience, giving people time to repent. This delay does not mean God is indifferent or lenient—it shows divine restraint. But when the patience of God reaches its limit, the righteous judgment of God is certain and swift. Ecclesiastes 8:11

GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT: The fierceness of God’s judgment is evident in the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11). When they lied to the Holy Spirit about the proceeds from the land they sold, they were struck dead instantly. It was not Peter’s power that killed them, but the holiness of God confronting deception in the church. Similarly, King Herod was struck down by an angel because he accepted praise as god and did not give glory to God (Acts 12:21–23). These examples remind us that while God is merciful, He is also a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, help me not to take the patience and forbearance of God for granted. Give me a heart that obeys quickly and takes immediate rebuke and correction, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

REFLECTION:

2 Peter 3:9 KJV: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Lord, have mercy upon me where I have taken your patience and loving kindness for granted to keep living in sin. I repent, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

2. Lord, every lifestyle of sin I am living that is drawing your anger towards me, have mercy and deliver me, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

3. Lord Jesus, deliver me from every act of disobedience that is storing your wrath against me, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen

4. Lord Jesus, please cancel every judgment waiting to destroy me on the last day, as I receive the grace to live in complete submission and obedience to your will, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen