CENTRAL THOUGHT
Our true character is revealed when we are under pressure in the affairs of life.
TEXT: EXODUS 32:1-10; 1 SAM.13:5-14
INTRODUCTION:
The Israelites in our passage above became terrified and hid themselves when they saw the Philistine army. They forgot that God was on their side and that He couldn’t be defeated. When we are under pressure, we often forget that God is on our side and see only our own insufficient resources. We tend to panic.
Under pressure of the approaching Philistines, Saul became impatient and took matters into his own hands. Rather than waiting for the priest- Samuel, he offered the sacrifice himself, which was against the law of God.
We are in an age when people glamor for instant result wanting to get rich quickly. This study therefore seeks to highlight how anxiety for immediate or instant fulfilment of life desires has become the order of the day resulting in crippling of the faith of some believers. It will also highlight the need for believers to desires to live a life of patience.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- Understand what impatience means.
- Know how King Saul and Aaron exhibited impatience.
- Highlight some practical ways people exhibit impatience today.
- Identify the consequences of impatience.
- Identify ways Christians can overcome impatience.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORD “IMPATIENCE” ?
The Dictionary defines impatience as the inability to wait patiently. In our context, it is an ungodly feeling/character that makes one act against God’s will. It is a character devoid of long-suffering, endurance, and forbearance. It also represents an attitude of restlessness coupled with great eagerness and a feeling of wanting something to happen as soon as possible. In all cases, God is ruled out of such feelings. For anybody to please God in this journey of life, impatience must be dealt with.
QUESTION 1B) DISCUSS HOW KING SAUL EXHIBITED IMPATIENCE. (1 SAMUEL 13:5-14).
The Israelites were drawn in battle against the Philistines. They needed to call upon God, offering to Him burnt offerings and peace offerings before going to battle. These offerings were to be performed by the Priest Samuel alone. Saul became pressured when he saw that many of his few armies had fled, coupled with his perceived delay of Samuel the priest. Therefore, he said “Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offering” and he offered them contrary to God’s commandment. Impatience resulting from fear made him to disobey God. Unfortunately, the moment he finished offering the sacrifices, Samuel arrived. His actions robbed him of his continual reign and that of his descendants over Israel. (1 Sam.13:13, 14).
QUESTION 2) WHAT LESSONS CAN WE DERIVE FROM AARON SUCCUMBING TO THE GODLESS PRESSURE AND IMPATIENCE OF THE PEOPLE. EXODUS 32:1-6.
The people’s perceived delay of Moses for forty days agitated them to ask for a god they can see, feel, and carry about. This was a carryover from Egypt where they had seen bull or calf worship. Their action shows impatience. It was also an affront to Moses’ leadership.
Aaron as a leader of the people ought to have counseled them against idolatry and to wait patiently for Moses’s return. As leaders of God’s people, we should not succumb to any pressure from the people to act contrary to God’s word/will. Also, those being led should not pressure their leader into actions that bother on disobeying God.
QUESTION 3A) HOW DOES THE WORLD EXHIBIT IMPATIENCE TODAY?
A large proportion of the world’s population today exhibit impatience in various spheres of life. Example includes:
(i) Desires to get rich quickly, which has led many to the internet fraud.
(ii) Examination malpractices and certificate forgery.
(iii) Some couples having challenges in child bearing visit ‘prophets’, herbalists soothsayers etc. for help instead of waiting on God the giver of children.
(iv) Migration to Europe through the deserts and dangerous seas, in search of ‘greener pasture’.
(v) Involvement in prohibited business because of quick financial returns.
QUESTION 3B) SHOULD THE CHURCH TOW THE SAME LINE WITH THE WORLD? DISCUSS MATT.5:13-16.
The church should not tow the same line with the world. The beatitudes describe the character of kingdom citizens, and the metaphors of salt and light indicate the citizen’s influence for good as they penetrate secular society. If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they become of no value to God. If we live for Christ, we will grow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.
QUESTION 3C) HIGHLIGHT WAYS THAT SOME CHRISTIANS MANIFEST IMPATIENCE TODAY?
The ungodly character of impatience is manifested in different ways by some Christians. Such areas include:
(a). Divorce or separation of couples who are for a short moment experiencing “delay” in childbearing. They forget about some Bible characters who waited for several years to have their children.
(b). Seeking solution to challenges or problems outside God. There is no problem that God cannot solve.
(c). Marrying an unbeliever simply because a Christian brother or sister is not forthcoming. We must not be unequally yoked with unbeliever in any area of life. ( 2 Cor.6:14).
(d). Giving bribes to secure a job, contract, and other favors.
(e). Blackmailing others in order to take their position instead of waiting for God’s appointed time for promotion from him.
(f) By-passing and over taking others in queue to get something that is not your turn to have.
(g) In the place of prayer, some of us “run in and out” because of impatience, without waiting to hear from God.
QUESTION 4A) WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPATIENCE?
1 SAM.13:13-14; PROV.19:2
Impatience leads to so many consequences, which include:
( i) Making wrong choices that become detrimental to one’s well-being.
(ii) Untimely or premature death (Ex. 32:28, 35)
(iii) Disobedience to God’s commandment, resulting in loss of God’s blessings and rewards. (1 Sam.13:13-14).
(iv) Damage to one’s health due to increase in blood pressure.
(v). Inability to trust God.
QUESTION 4B) HOW CAN CHRISTIANS OVERCOME IMPATIENCE?
PSALM 33:18-20; 37:1-9, 37; MATT.6:25-34; PHIL.1:6; ROM.12:1-2; HEB.10:35-39.
Christians can overcome impatience in the following ways:
(a) We must commit our ways unto the Lord and rest in Him.
(b) Wait patiently for the Lord, rather than fretting yourself concerning other people’s prosperity.
(c) Avoid being anxious over any challenge being faced in life.
(d) Rely and depend on the provisions of God’s words concerning the situation.
(e) The Holy Spirit is our ever-present companion who tells us what to do, so listen to Him.
(f) Remember always that God may use delays to test our obedience and patience, so position yourself to pass such tests.
(g) When discouraged, remember that God will not give up on His children, because He promised to finish the good work He has begun.
(h) In all situations, present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and He will help you overcome all forms of impatience.
(i) Remember that our journey with God is a long-life process and that changes and victories may take time, so wait on the Lord.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
One of the most difficult times or moment to trust God is when you feel your resources are slipping away and time is running out on your expectations. When you know what God wants, do not go against that plan.
Our excuses, however, is nothing more than disobedience resulting from impatience. Remember that God knows our true motives. God forgives, restores, and blesses only when we are honest about our sins. In all situations/ circumstances, we must learn to follow God and do His will.
MEMORY VERSE:
Isaiah 40:31a
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles….”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MONDAY: THE PATIENCE OF JOSEPH PAVE WAY FOR HIM. Psalm 105:17-22.
TUESDAY: AVOID DOING THE WORK YOU ARE NOT ASSIGNED TO DO IN GOD’S HOUSE.
1 Samuel 13:8-14.
WEDNESDAY: GOD’S TIME PACE IS NEVER SLOW. Habakkuk 2:1-3.
THURSDAY: SHOW THE REALITY OF YOUR FAITH BY PATIENCE. Heb.10:35-39.
FRIDAY: RESIST UNGODLY PRESSURE.
Ex 32:1-6.
SATURDAY: BE AN EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE.
Matt 5:13-16; 6:25.