His Patience

March 7th. His patience. You know someone with the gift of patience. It seems no matter

how much time is asked of them, they're always happy to give. Even to monotonous and

never-ending tasks. In a world of greater demands and faster results, this person is, well,

willing to wait. It's easy to recognize patience as a virtue, but have you ever considered

why this is? Patience is a quality from the very nature of God. In each of our lives, God

has demonstrated great patience, guiding us to Himself when our heart was turned against

Him. And He continues to show patience through His forgiveness and grace. Maybe no one

knows this better than the man we're about to meet. Jack Ferguson is here today to share

with us His true story. On this unshackled, daily devotional. As a freshman in high school,

I burned my own picture out of the yearbook. It acts so bizarre I spent time in psychiatric

institutions. After high school, I drifted around, far from my family. Several times I stayed

in rescue missions and once, I pretended to pray for salvation. But the truth was, I loved

sin. The next six years, however, I was constantly bombarded with the gospel. I bought a motorcycle

and was hit broadside. I made a bargain with God during surgery, but I didn't keep it when

God was merciful and spared me. A couple of years later, I was charged with rape. I was so drunk,

I don't remember what really happened, but prison loomed before me and I was terrified.

Once again, I cried out to God and He was merciful. I was sentenced to just one year in the county

jail, and it was there. I finally responded to the gospel and prayed for salvation. The Lord

cleaned up my language and took away my cigarette habit. But when I got out, I slipped back into

drinking and broke my parole. I had to serve another year this time in prison. God used that year

behind bars to help me learn solid doctrines through studying His Word. And since 1986, I've been

preaching the gospel in prisons and work camps. Today, I'm alive in Christ, and He has restored the

many years I wasted. In Romans chapter 2, the Apostle Paul commands believers to live righteous

lives in the light of God's grace. To those living in sin, Paul asks in verse 4,

despises Thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long suffering,

not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.

Trent, the truth is, the patience of God should draw us closer to Him in thankfulness and worship.

And as we saw with Jack's story, may we be glad to see God's patience toward even the worst

of sinners, that they too might receive His saving grace. Will you consider this truth today?

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