Patience with the Lord’s Timing
Written by: Michael Lambert, Executive Secretary
The Covid-19 pandemic has turned most of our lives upside down. Many have had to deal with the new realities of online school, working from home or being laid off, and having very limited choices on what could be done outside of the home. We have missed the fellowship of being around fellow-saints in our church meetings.
It has been a long couple of months, and we are anxious to return to a more-normal way of living. However, we must proceed with patience, care, and consideration for others. If we are not careful our desire to be free of the pandemic restrictions might overwhelm proper precautions and good judgement.
We have been blessed at this time with President Russel M. Nelson as our prophet, a servant who has been particularly prepared to deal with a global pandemic. Under his direction, our local leaders are moving forward cautiously to bring us back together, using inspiration, wisdom and prudence to ensure that we can be safe and remain healthy while still worshipping in large groups. We would be wise to follow that same approach in returning to those things that we love to do.
Patience is an important gospel principle. In the scriptures we are invited to “be full of patience,”(1) to “remember patience,”(2) and to follow the example of the Sons of Mosiah who were told by the Lord to, “bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”(3) When we practice patience, we are following the one perfect example – even the Savior himself. He patiently endured great suffering, which caused Him “to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore.”(4)
In addition to His great and eternal sacrifice patiently performed for each of us, now the Lord says, “I stands at the door and knock,”(5) as he waits for us to let him in. Often, even when we ignore his invitations, “his hand is stretched out still.” (6)
I love what we can learn from a group of people in the Book of Mormon about patience. Alma, and those who had been converted to Jesus Christ fled the waters of Mormon and established the city of Helam. In time, another group of people took over their city, and appointed a man named Amulon to rule over them. Amulon began to persecute the people of Helam, and put tasks and burdens upon them that caused them great afflictions.
After the people of Helam had poured out their hearts to the Lord for help, we read in Mosiah 24:15-16;
“And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord. And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.”
Being patient with what the Lord has us experience always brings great blessings.
My favorite scripture is from the Old Testament book of Proverbs, where in Chapter 3, verses 5 and 6, we read, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I take comfort in knowing that the Lord will direct me if I will have faith in Him and trust Him with all my heart, and most importantly, if I don’t depend only on my own knowledge and understanding to make decisions
It’s not just about trusting the Lord, but having the patience to trust in his timing. Elder Richard G Scott, a former apostle, once wrote: “True enduring happiness with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the most challenging difficulties comes from a life centered in Jesus Christ. …There is no guarantee of overnight results, but there is absolute assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and emptiness will be filled.” (7)
(1) Book of Mormon, Alma 7:23
(2) Doctrine and Covenants, Section 4:6
(3) Book of Mormon, Alma 26:27
(4) Doctrine and Covenants, Section 19:18
(5) King James Version of the Bible, Revelation 3:20
(6) King James Version of the Bible, Isaiah 9:12,17,21
(7) Trust in the Lord, by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, October 1995 General Conference
Artwork by Del Parson, Jesus at the Door
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