Patience is a virtue that is extremely difficult to attain. We are living in a world were answers are at our fingertips and solutions come quickly. But, when it comes to difficult circumstances, things are not as quick and clear as we would like them to be.

“¹²…be patient in tribulation…” – Romans 12:12 (ESV)

Paul lays it out there for us, and he is one who should know. Paul spent plenty of time in prison dealing with adversity, and if there was anyone to grow impatient with his circumstances it would be him. It seemed as though every time he turned around, he was accused of something else, and where he did not deny the things accused of, the illegal legitimacy of his “wrong doings” was not exactly worthy of lifelong imprisonment.

I look at the things I go through daily or in life and seem to feel as though I have cornered the market in being beat down, when in truth, I have it so well and only refuse to be patient and allow God to work His plan for me. I am the one that needs work, not my life. My patience needs to be restored and it is up to me to restore it.

When you look at it all, where is your patience? Are you looking for quick fixes for those difficult times? Are you able to be patient in tribulation?

“¹One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up ²and said to him, ‘tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.’” – Luke 20:1-2 (ESV)

Now these priests and scribes may have been right to question someone teaching in the temple. In this instance, they knew Jesus and were challenging His authority to be there. Jesus turns the tables on them in the next couple of verses.

“³He answered them, ‘I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, ⁴was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?’” – Luke 20:3-4 (ESV)

Jesus simply asked them a question to help understand their knowledge. All they had to do was declare their beliefs or simply ask more questions to seek knowledge and understanding. They chose instead to declare ignorance without ambition, and Jesus gives His response to their original question.

“⁷So the answer that they did not know where it came from. ⁸And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” – Luke 20:7-8 (ESV)

It would seem that Jesus is being difficult and avoiding, when in fact, when you look closer, He is simply following their lead. He is demonstrating His authority by choosing to not waste His time by explaining something that will not be received. Jesus understood that whatever it was He said at this moment would not be understood and those receiving would not seek to understand. Based on the feigning of ignorance by the priests and scribes, Jesus elected to hold His tongue as opposed to speaking to a wall.

Jesus demonstrated His authority by asking one question allowing them to take a stand, and they refused. It may look like Jesus “refused” to answer, and He did, however when/if the priests and scribes would have answered, I feel confident that Jesus would have seized the opportunity to explain and preach to them as well. Jesus was now the one in the room with the authority and showed that He did indeed have true authority.

When you are in situations, are you aware of the authority of those around you? Are you aware of your own authority? Are you aware that no matter your authority, we give way to the true authority in Jesus?

I am one of those people that is a little more cautious to interact when I encounter a new situation. I have come to realize that I am simply doing research as to what is acceptable so as to not step out of the norms of the situation. I also find myself looking for the authority in the room that I may be able to not overstep my own authority.

“²¹And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. ²²And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as on who had authority, and not as the scribes.” – Mark 1:21-22 (ESV)

Jesus, being who he was, went immediately to the synagogue and began doing that which He was great at, teaching. And, everyone picked up on the fact that He was different than others that came in teaching. He carried Himself and spoke with authority they had not experienced before.

“²³And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ²⁴’What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.’” – Mark 1:23-24 (ESV)

And now there was fear among those that knew just what the authority of Jesus meant to them. This unclean spirit was afraid of Jesus and His authority. Jesus had the authority to destroy those unclean spirits and this one was trying to get to the bottom of Jesus’ presence here. Even evil knew who Jesus was.

Jesus drove the unclean spirit out of the man and all the people were amazed.

“²⁷And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’” – Mark 1:27 (ESV)

And now that the people understood who Jesus was, they did as most of us do, they spread the word.

“²⁸And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” – Mark 1:28 (ESV)

Here we find that those that witnessed wanted others to know as well. No different from us today. The speed of the news travel was slower then, but the action of the people was the same. Astonishment of what they saw, recognition of the authority, and relaying the information forward so others would recognize.

Jesus has authority beyond what we can comprehend. We may think we know, but until witnessed, we are to be aware of when He may appear so as to recognize.

When you are in situations, what are you looking for? Are you aware of your actions specifically and the actions of those around you? Are you able to recognize the authority?

“¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” – Matthew 28:18 (ESV)

All – “every one of; the whole of; any; everything; total” (The New Webster’s Dictionary)

Authority – “legal power to enforce” (The New Webster’s Dictionary)

Given – “bestowed; stated; inclined; fixed” (The New Webster’s Dictionary)

When you look at the definitions of the words, it brings more meaning to the phrase. “The whole of legal power to enforce bestowed” or “total legal power to enforce stated”.

Jesus had been “bestowed the whole of legal power to enforce” on heaven and on earth with His resurrection. There was no earning power or buying it, God gave the authority to Jesus.

We have authority given to us in our families, jobs, personal lives, and most importantly by God. He has allowed us to rule here and do the work He has commissioned of us.

What authority has been given you by God? Are you aware that authority given can be taken away? What are your thoughts about “All Authority Given”?

How much true authority do you have? In my home I have a certain level of authority. In my role at the office another level of authority. But ultimately that authority pales in comparison to the authority of Jesus.

“²And behold, some people bought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven?’ ⁵’For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Rise and walk?”’ ⁶”But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic – “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ⁷And he rose and went home.” – Matthew 9:2, 5-7 (ESV)

Undoubtedly, we have heard the phrase, “talk is cheap”. Anyone has the ability to say many things, whether or not they are true is something else.

You can see in the verse above that Jesus was certainly one to use words as a starting point. He proclaimed to the paralytic that his sins were forgiven, and based on who he was, they were truly forgiven, however to the people surrounding the event, the validity of the words of Jesus were questioned. Even Thomas needed to see the piercings in the hands and side of Jesus to “believe”.

Jesus knew what the people needed was the proof of His authority and so, He healed the paralytic man in dramatic fashion. This physical action was proof as to the authority of Jesus.

Are we able to accept the authority of Jesus? Is our acceptance contingent on some physical action? Are you able to move forward in your faith knowing that Jesus has already proven his authority?

“²⁸And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, ²⁹for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” – Matthew 7:28-29 (ESV)

What does it look and feel like when someone speaks from authority? They know. They have a deep understanding. There is a confidence. They won’t lean on someone else’s words.

The scribes of the day were those that relayed information from one place to another. They had some knowledge of what they were speaking, only that knowledge was limited to what they were told or knew from someone else.

Even today, pastors speak from what they have learned from others. They study to know and can quote those others with confidence. But do they really speak from authority? I will say when we, as a family have been in a position to find a new church, it takes a while. We start with those places that are popular and where everyone goes to listen to the charismatic, to the crowd draw. We end up at the church where the pastor is humbled by God’s authority and gives glory to Him. We seek to get our learning from God and not the man in the pulpit.

Jesus knew. He did not quote others, unless He was demonstrating the accuracy of the prophetic words. He did not lean on the teaching of others, He spoke the truth and from the first person, because he was there.

Jesus spoke as one who had authority, because he was the authority. He was a part of the original prophetic statements he quoted to demonstrate their accuracy. He did not lean on the teachings of others, He was the one they taught about.

When we seek to know, where is it that we go for that knowledge? Are we going to those with second, third, or down the line information? Are we going to the authority, Jesus?

We hold ourselves in pretty high regard, and we should. We should have respect for ourselves and look to be better each and every day.

“¹⁰Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor.” – Job 40:10 (ESV)

When I first read this verse this morning, my chest started to puff out a bit. I thought wow, God really does want me to be a bit greater in the world and take treat myself to some great things. Then I read the rest of the passage and the commentary to go with it.

“¹¹Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.” – Job 40:11 (ESV)

The very next verse goes against all that we have been taught.

“Abase: humiliate; humble” – The New Webster’s Dictionary

When has God ever told us to humiliate or humble anyone other than ourselves? Only in this place as He is proving a point and challenging Job to be better.

When you look at verse 9 it all seemed to come together for me.

“⁹Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?” – Job 40:9 (ESV)

We have to be careful as we read God’s Word. Individual passages and verses may only give part of the story when read on their own and may make sense in the moment, but as you can see, when you study those verses, and gain more context, and include the verses before and after, you are able to more clearly understand and apply the Word of God.

Majesty is for God, not for me. Greatness is for God, not for me. I rely on Him for all of me.

When you are reading God’s Word, are you applying all of it, or just the parts that “speak” to you? Are you applying God’s Word for His greatness or your own? Is majesty for God or are you looking to get yours?

Imagine this picture. Standing on the back porch of the country home. Looking out over the meadow of green grass. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a bright light appears over the horizon beaming warmth and brightening the beginning of the day. You shield your eyes for the light is getting brighter and brighter as the minutes unfold.

The picture I have in my mind’s eye is of the sun kick starting the day.

“²²Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty.” – Job 37:22 (ESV)

How much majesty have I missed as my focus has been off just a bit? Each day, God comes to me at the morning and reveals himself, “clothed with awesome majesty”. Have I been missing it as I shield my eyes?

The sun coming up at the beginning of the day might be a great reminder of the glory and majesty that emanate from God. He is so bright that the earth we inhabit is lighted completely by his presence. Shouldn’t we open our eyes to see His glory and majesty?

When you look at your day, are you able to see the glory and majesty of God? Are you shielding your eyes from His glory and majesty? Are you aware of the “awesome majesty” of God and embrace it?

“²⁵For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. ²⁶For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. ²⁷Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.” – 1 Chronicles 16:25-27 (ESV)

It is hard for me to praise others for the work they have done or the actions they take for one reason specifically; “Where is the praise for the work I do or actions I take?” I find myself going through the day continuing to do what is asked of me and impacting others in a positive way, only to realize that there was little to know recognition of the work performed.

I know it sounds selfish to want recognition and I suppose that maybe I am. I will clarify a bit though. I do not look for awards, rewards, or trophies. The recognition I seek is to be shown that I matter and am appreciated.

God provides the recognition I seek, and oddly enough it is through our praise of Him and others. Our focus should be on God and doing His work. And, when we are in line with that, our joy comes. Notice as I combine verses 25 and 27 from above: “For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised…strength and joy are in his place.” See that? When we are spending our time praising God and doing His work we find strength and joy.

Now, how do I get strength and joy in my everyday life? Well, by praising God. And, by praising others. When I am in a state of praise, how can bitterness creep in? If I am focused on doing the work of God and praising Him, how can selfishness and concern for the recognition I receive get under my skin? I have to remember that “Praise benefits us because it takes our minds off our problems and needs and focuses on God’s power, mercy, majesty, and love. (NIV Commentary v25)”

When you look at the day, where is your focus? Are you looking to praise others and God, or looking for praise from others and God? Are you allowing your praise of God to benefit you?

“²⁶There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.” – Deuteronomy 33:26 (ESV)

Here is a visual that I have not necessarily had of my God.

I will say that I do have a pretty big picture of God sitting on His throne in heaven watching and waiting and working with us as we do His will. He is intense and focused. And when we need Him he is right there for us.

But this picture provides a different view. One of heroic connotations. You see, in my house we like our super hero movies. There is those being oppressed by evil and the super hero swoops in to defeat the evil one and save the day. As I read this morning, this is the visual I got of my God and his care for me. Couple the verse above with this verse:

“¹⁰He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.” – Psalm 18:10 (ESV)

What as visual of God riding through the sky coming to my aid. This adds to the visual of him being there in our time of need. He doesn’t just appear, he rides in in grand majesty and saves the day.

When you look at our God, how are you seeing him? Are you aware of his focus on you? Are you aware of his majestic heroism in the way he cares for you?