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Bible Stories About Patience: 6 Scriptural Examples – Viral Believer
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Bible Stories About Patience: 6 Scriptural Examples

Bible stories about patience are important because they teach about God’s character and how He deals with His people. They also teach about the importance of being patient in all areas of life. The stories below are just a few examples of how the Bible teaches us about patience.

The Bible is an excellent resource that reminds us of all those who have gone before with endurance. These five Bible stories are about patience and feature some of the most prominent men of faith.

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And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Abraham – The Father Of Many Nations

God promised Abraham that he would be the father to many nations. However, Abraham and Sarah had no children when the promise was made (Genesis 12, 3 & 4). God kept His promise to Abraham throughout the years (Genesis 13, 6, 15, 6; 17, 6-8; 17:6-8, 18:10).

Despite being a man of faith, Abraham decided to sleep with Sarah’s handmaid (at Sarah’s suggestion) and have a child. The name of the son was Ishmael. This was not the child God intended. (Genesis 16)

God finally gave Isaac to Abraham and Sarah at the age of 100. It took them years to wait, but they finally received the promise from God. Hebrews 6:15 speaks of Abraham and says he received the promise after enduring patience.

Joseph – From Pit To Prison To Palace – A Picture of Patience

Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers (Genesis37:27, 28). He didn’t understand everything but believed God would work His plan. Joseph persevered in every situation. 

He waited for God’s promise that Joseph would lead his people (Genesis37:5-11). As he believed in God, he had to be patient and probably wondered why he was in prison.

God lifted Joseph to great power and great responsibility. He was a leader for his people and ruled over Egypt’s people. To allow God to fulfill His purposes in Joseph’s life and that of his family, patience was necessary.

Job – The Man Of Patience

The Bible’s most famous story about patience is probably the life of Job. God gave Job everything he owned to prove his faithfulness to God (Job 1). Job was a rich man. He lost his crops and property as well as his servants. 

Most devastating was the loss of his children. Job didn’t blame God. Job accepted God’s plan and waited for God to reveal it.

Job’s friends visited him to counsel him. They attempted to discover the great sin Job had committed to justify the severe punishment he was subject to. Job refused to admit any sin. Job understood that bad things could happen to good people.

People often talk about Job’s patience. He understood God’s plan and was open to accepting what God gave him in his life. God gave Job twice the amount he had given him at the beginning (Job 42,10).

Simeon – eagerly awaiting the Messiah

Luke 2 tells us about the birth of Christ. The angels announce his birth to the shepherds, who then go to see Jesus in the manger. Mary and Joseph later took their baby Jesus to the temple in the same chapter to offer God their child’s birth.

The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die until he saw the birth of Jesus Christ. Although the Bible doesn’t indicate how long Simeon waited to see Christ, the fact that it states that he would not die until seeing the Savior suggests that he did wait.

The Spirit took Simeon after Jesus arrived at the temple to meet Him. Simeon held Jesus in his arms and thanked God for the promise of a child. Simeon’s actions surprised Mary and Joseph. Simeon knew he could leave in peace.

Jesus is an example of patience.

Hebrews 12 speaks of Jesus’ death on the Cross as something He “endured.” Although His crucifixion was for our salvation, the Bible also says His death is an example for us to follow. Hebrews 12:2, 3 reminds us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher our faith, when we feel tired or discouraged by our daily tasks.

He endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God’s throne. Consider him who endured the contradiction of sinners against his will, lest you be worn out and faint in your mind.

Jesus patiently taught the disciples before He died on the cross. The disciples were sometimes confused about Jesus’ identity even after His proclamations and miracles. 

We think of the disciples today as mature men of faith. In the gospel accounts, Jesus still tried to teach the disciples how to pray until He was taken to the garden to be executed.

God’s example of patience

Moses called all Israel together and said: “You have seen everything that the Lord did in Egypt before your eyes. . The great trials your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 

The Lord has yet to give you the ability to comprehend, see or hear. You have been with me forty years. You haven’t worn out your clothes, and your sandals are still in good condition .” Deuteronomy 29, 2-5 (paraphrase)

It would be difficult to tell the story of Moses leading God’s people through the wilderness for 40+ years in just a few scripture passages. This story can be shared with your child using a storybook Bible. It’s a beautiful example of God’s patience.

God is patient with us. We should also be patient with other people because of this. The Bible contains many instances of God’s patience and verses showing his long-suffering character. Perhaps the most remarkable story is the Exodus from Egypt. 

God led Moses and his family through the wilderness to the promised land for forty years. God’s people often doubted and complained along the way and at times, were close to giving up. God listened to their cries and provided food, water, and other signs of his goodness.

This story can be used to teach your children patience. His heart is tender, and he understands the struggle to wait and endure. He is always there to help us with whatever we need. 

He wants us to be patient with others. God is patient with us and understands our difficulties and needs while we wait. He also wants us to try to understand the needs of others. Being patient with others is a sign of God’s goodness.

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Psalm 86:15

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible teaches us many stories about patience. We learn about patience from examples of patient people in the Bible, such as Joseph, Job, and Jesus.

We also see how God is patient with us, even when we are not patient. The Bible shows us that patience is a virtue worth developing in our own lives.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.