Exercising the patience of faith – Taiwo Akinola

Archbishop Taiwo Akinola
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” — 1 Timothy 6:12.

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” — Hebrews 6:12.

Introduction

One of the earliest lessons every believer must learn in the school of God’s wisdom is that answers to prayer do not always manifest immediately. While faith receives God’s promises, patience enables us to remain steadfast until those promises become visible realities. This is why Scripture declares that it is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12).

Faith is our confident response to God’s ability and willingness to fulfill His Word. Patience is the grace that keeps us steadfast in God’s timing. Faith believes that God will do it; patience remains steadfast until He does.

Many people struggle with delays because waiting is one of life’s greatest tests. Yet God’s delays are never evidence of His absence. Though He may not work according to our timetable, He always works according to His perfect timing. He is never late.

Throughout Scripture, God tested the faith, character, obedience, and perseverance of His people. Abraham endured the test of waiting. Joseph passed through years of adversity before ascending to the palace. David waited long after his anointing before wearing Israel’s crown. Our Lord Jesus Christ triumphed in the agony of Gethsemane. While King Saul failed the tests of obedience and integrity, David stumbled but found restoration through genuine repentance.

The lesson is unmistakable: every believer will experience seasons that demand patience. Our response during those seasons often determines whether we inherit the promises God has prepared for us.

God’s Timing Is Always Perfect

One of the clearest illustrations of faith and patience is found in the account of Jairus (Mark 5:21–43).

Jairus urgently pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Yet, on the way to his house, Jesus stopped to minister to a woman who had suffered for twelve years with an issue of blood. During what appeared to be a heartbreaking delay, the devastating news arrived: “Thy daughter is dead”.

To Jairus, it seemed that Jesus had come too late. But the Lord immediately spoke words that have strengthened believers throughout the ages: “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36).

What appeared to be an unfortunate delay became the setting for an even greater miracle. Jesus did not merely heal a sick child; He raised a dead one. Jairus discovered a timeless truth: God’s delays are never denials.

How often God’s timing puzzles us. We pray, we wait, and sometimes wonder why heaven appears silent. Yet God sees the end from the beginning. What appears to us as delay is often divine preparation. What feels like disappointment may simply be God’s pathway to something far greater than we could have imagined.

Learning to Wait Like Abraham

Abraham also teaches us the patience of faith. Although God promised him a son, the fulfilment seemed impossible as the years passed. Yet Scripture records: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:20).

Like many believers, Abraham occasionally tried to help God fulfill His promise through human efforts, and those attempts only produced unnecessary sorrow. But when he learned to trust God’s timing completely, Isaac—the promised son—arrived exactly as God had ordained.

God’s promises are inseparably linked to His timing. Isaiah reminds us, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting on God is never a wasted time. During those seasons He strengthens our faith, deepens our character, and prepares us for the blessings He intends to entrust to us.

Waiting Produces Mature Faith

The story of Lazarus provides another remarkable lesson in the patience of faith (John 11).

When Jesus received news that His beloved friend was sick, He deliberately remained where He was for two additional days. By the time He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been buried for four days.

Human reasoning interpreted His delay as neglect. Divine wisdom revealed it as preparation. Jesus later declared, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe” (John 11:15).

The interval between believing and receiving often becomes God’s workshop for developing stronger faith. Waiting teaches perseverance, endurance, humility, and complete dependence upon Him. Faith that survives the waiting season becomes faith that prevails in victory.

The Triumph of Persistent Faith

Few biblical characters illustrate enduring faith more vividly than Caleb.

At forty years of age, he stood with Joshua and believed God’s promise concerning the Promised Land. While ten spies spread fear and unbelief, Caleb boldly declared, “Let us go up at once… for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).

God promised him an inheritance. Yet Caleb waited forty-five years before receiving it.

Most people struggle to wait forty-five days; Caleb waited forty-five years without abandoning God’s promise. At eighty-five years of age, he stood before Joshua and confidently declared, “Give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:12).

His faith had not weakened with the passing years because he understood that God’s promises do not expire with time. The mountain was still his because the promise still belonged to God.

The same truth applies to every promise God has spoken into your life. Time cannot weaken God’s Word, nor can delay diminish His power to fulfill it.

Refuse to Give Up

Persistent faith refuses to be governed by delays, disappointments, failures, or unfavourable circumstances. Instead, it fixes its eyes upon the unfailing promises of God.

One of the greatest enemies of faith is discouragement. The Apostle Paul therefore exhorts us: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

Notice the expression “due season”. Every promise has an appointed time. God’s harvest always arrives at the right moment.

Faith declares, “God has spoken”. Patience replies, “I will continue believing until His Word is fulfilled”. Together they produce steadfast victory.

Never compare your journey with another person’s. God’s dealings with each of His children are unique. What matters is remaining faithful to His purpose for your life, knowing that “my times are in thy hand” (Psalm 31:15).

Conclusion

The patience of faith is not passive resignation but confident endurance. It is trusting God while waiting, obeying Him while waiting, praising Him while waiting, and continuing to believe until every promise becomes reality.

Abraham waited—and received. Jairus waited—and received. Lazarus’ family waited—and received. Caleb waited—and received. You also shall receive.

If God has spoken concerning your family, ministry, health, business, career, or destiny, hold firmly to His Word. Refuse discouragement. Reject unbelief. Do not surrender your heritage simply because time has passed.

Remember, God’s timing is perfect, His promises are certain, and His faithfulness never fails. Therefore, continue in faith. Walk in patience. Keep believing. Keep obeying. Keep expecting.

Your inheritance in Christ remains secure. Your miracle is still alive. Your appointed season is drawing near. And in God’s perfect time, you too shall testify that every promise He has made has come to pass. 

Nevertheless, “…ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36). You won’t miss this, in Jesus name. Amen.

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Archbishop Taiwo Akinola (Ph.D), Rhema Christian Church, Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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