05/16/2026
Here is one of the devotions that was shared by Brother Austin Wilkins during a Sunday school opening. Enjoy
A Dog’s Patience
Opening Verse: James 5:7-8, Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Every time our oldest dog goes out the back door, her first look and steps are toward the direction of our neighbor’s house to see if their dog is outside. If he isn’t, she sits on the deck facing in that direction, patiently waiting for him to appear, often staying there for hours on end either restfully sitting or lying down.
She rarely stirs, though I see she is always prepared, ready and poised to leap off the deck with joy, at the appearance of her friend. She’s attentive in the expectation of his appearance, never displaying a shred of anxiety or frustration that he’s not out or that she must wait. Always waiting in preparedness, faithfully believing and hopeful that he will be out at any moment.
When he comes out, her patience is rewarded. She springs into action, joyfully racing up and down the fence line, barking with excitement and unbridled enthusiasm.
Her dedicated and diligent patience makes me wonder, if I am that way waiting for Jesus’ arrival. God’s Word reminds us to wait patiently in preparedness for His coming. We are to be anchored in the hope of His promise. Do I trust God’s timing, waiting in faith and belief the way our dog does? Am I patiently waiting and prepared to leap with joy at Jesus’ coming?
The answer is, not always. I don’t always let patience have her "perfect work" to make me perfect and entire, wanting nothing, as it says to do in James 1:4. The truth is, I don’t always wait well, let my time be in His hand, nor trust a delay is evidence of God’s care and love. Instead, more often than not, my flesh demands immediate action or instant gratification.
God’s work does not happen over a day, a week, or even a year. He works in our lives over a lifetime. Trials and troubles perfect us, and we need patience to learn the lessons He is teaching us. The perfect work is hope. While undergoing trials repeatedly, we learn that God is there with us no matter what and continues His good work in us so that we may inherit his promises
Patience and waiting for Jesus is active, not passive. It means to endure and persevere in the storms with courage and faith, to participate by serving others and the church, to be watchful with spiritual alertness, obey by following God’s commands, repent of sinful acts, share the Gospel, and finally trust His timing.
God's perfect timing is represented by the belief, that a divine, unhurried, and intentional schedule governs our life events, all while ensuring they happen at the ideal moment for maximum benefit. It requires faith and patience to trust, that delays are not denials, but opportunities for growth, preparation, and protection. Even when they differ from personal expectations.
Trusting in His timing often means choosing faith over fear, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. The purposeful delays are seasons of preparation, to shape character and build spiritual maturity. We don’t receive circumstances before we are ready to handle them, because God’s timing is very precise
Relying on God’s timing instead of forcing our own can reduce anxiety or worry and lead us to peace. Trusting His timing, teaches us to be more patient with others, and leads to us experiencing His promises. The wait, allows more people to have the opportunity to be saved, grow in character, and focus on Jesus instead of worldly concerns.
Waiting for something to happen requires a lot of patience and a lot of faith. It demands hopefulness that won’t be tamped down. Our dog knows her friend will appear and does not cry or whine while she waits. She just watches with patience, waits, knowing without doubt he will show.
With the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. In Revelation Jesus says three times He is coming quickly. Revelation 22:7, Behold I come quickly blessed is he that keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book Revelation 22:12, And behold I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be, and Revelation 22:20, He that testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus. His return is not someday but any day. God already has a plan and what we are praying for, He is already planning to give or make it happen. We aren’t ready for it yet. Our job is to continue to pray with patience, without doubt, and in faithful expectation, joyfully looking forward to the Savior’s return.
Closing Verse: Psalm 25:5, Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
I Thessalonians 1: 2-3, We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God our Father.
Closing Prayer: Lord, thank you for the wonderful hope of the coming again of your Son. Sometimes we do not wait well. But You have proven in Your Word that what seems like delay is evidence of Your care and love. We ask You to help us apply the peace, trust, contentment, and perseverance you call us to in waiting for the Savior’s return. Where our flesh demands immediate action, may our hearts accept Your answers on Your terms. We choose by faith to believe You can act in a moment yet also choose to wait and keep believing in faithful prayer. Amen
