Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 162

Patience

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Job And His Friends. "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord." James 5:11.

1. What has the Bible to say concerning patience?

"The _patient in spirit_ is better than the _proud in spirit_." Eccl. 7:8.

"Be patient _toward all men_." 1 Thess. 5:14. "In your patience _possess ye your souls_." Luke 21:19.

2. What contrast is drawn between the patient and the hasty in spirit?

"He that is slow to wrath is of _great understanding_: but he that is hasty of spirit _exalteth folly_." Prov. 14:29.

3. Who are cited as examples of patience?

"Take, my brethren, _the prophets_ ... for an example of suffering affliction, and of _patience_.... Ye have heard of the patience of _Job_."

James 5:10, 11.

4. What is said of those who endure?

"Behold, _we count them happy which endure_." Verse 11. "_Blessed_ is the man that endureth temptation." James 1:12. "He that endureth to the end _shall be saved_." Matt. 10:22.

5. What does the trying of faith work?

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith _worketh patience_." James 1:3. "Not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation _worketh patience_." Rom. 5:3.

6. What grace is to be added to temperance, or self-control?

"And to temperance _patience_." 2 Peter 1:6.

NOTE.-Patience naturally follows temperance. Hence the importance of right living,-of gaining control over the appet.i.tes and pa.s.sions.

7. Why are we exhorted to patience?

"But let patience have her perfect work, _that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing_." James 1:4.

8. What important test of perfection of character is given?

"_If any man offend not in word_, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2.

9. How are we exhorted to run the Christian race?

"Let us _run with patience_ the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Heb. 12:1, 2.

10. For what glorious event are we bidden patiently to wait?

"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of G.o.d, and into _the patient waiting for Christ_." 2 Thess. 3:5. "Be _patient_ therefore, brethren, _unto the coming of the Lord_.... Be ye also _patient_; stablish your hearts: for _the coming of the Lord draweth nigh_." James 5:7, 8.

11. What will be one characteristic of the remnant church?

"Here is the _patience_ of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of G.o.d, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.

12. What should be the language of every heart?

"_I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait_, and in His word do I hope." Ps.

130:5.

13. When Christ comes, what will His people say?

"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our G.o.d; _we have waited for Him_, and He will save us: this is the Lord; _we have waited for Him_, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25:9.

The home where changes never come, Nor pain nor sorrow, toil nor care; Yes! 'tis a bright and blessed home; Who would not fain be resting there?

Yet when bowed down beneath the load By heaven allowed, thine earthly lot, Thou yearn'st to reach that blest abode, Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not.

W. H. BELLAMY.

Contentment

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Sea Of Tiberias. "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Phil. 4:11.

1. What does the apostle say is great gain?

"But _G.o.dliness with contentment_ is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Tim. 6:6, 7.

2. With what are we exhorted to be content?

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and _be content with such things as ye have_: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb. 13:5. "And _having food and raiment_ let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. 6:8.

3. Concerning what does Christ tell us not to be anxious?